'Face time' for the first time: Video communication between relatives and junior doctors in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Working on a COVID-19 ward presents a number of challenges to staff, with communication between families, patients and staff being highlighted as a key challenge. Novel methods are needed to overcome the barriers presented by COVID-19, with many turning to technology to offer solutions. Recognising these challenges as an area for improvement on our own ward, we sought to introduce new methods of communication to improve patient, relative and staff understanding and wellbeing. Through our own experiences and a discussion of the literature on this topic, we have identified some key themes which we believe can assist in the development of communication strategies in the developing pandemic.

To scan or not to scan - D-dimers and computed tomography pulmonary angiography in the era of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had many ramifications on healthcare delivery and practice. As part of this, utilising biomarkers to risk stratify patients has become increasingly popular. During the COVID-19 pandemic the use of D-dimer has increased due to the evidence of COVID-19 induced thrombo-embolic disease. We evaluated the use of D-dimer on all hospital admissions during the peak of the pandemic and evaluated its sensitivity in diagnosing pulmonary embolic disease (PE). Patients without COVID-19 infection were as likely to have evidence of PE as their COVID-positive counterparts. However, the sensitivity of a D-dimer was higher in COVID-positive patients at a lower D-dimer level (>1,500 µg/L, sensitivity 81%, specificity 70%) than in those without clinical, immunological or radiological evidence of COVID-19 infection (D-dimer >2,000 µg/L, sensitivity 80%, specificity 76%). These data suggest higher D-dimer thresholds should be considered for the exclusion of pulmonary emboli.

The outcome of childhood adrenocortical carcinoma in Egypt: A model from developing countries.

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare, aggressive endocrine neoplasm. Complete surgical resection is the single most important treatment. Most available information has been learned from experience with its more frequent adult counterpart. In this study, we assessed the features and survival outcome of patients with ACC at Children's Cancer Hospital Egypt (CCHE). Patients diagnosed at CCHE between July 2007 and November 2016 were followed up on until November 2018. Patients with stages I and II were operated upon, while stages III and IV had received combinations of doxorubicin, etoposide, platinol, and mitotane (DEPM) beside the attempt to conduct surgery when feasible. Data belonging to 18 patients (7 men and 11 women) were analyzed; median age at diagnosis was 48.5 months. Sixteen patients had presented with secreting tumors. Six patients were diagnosed with stage I disease; four with stage II; three with stage III; and five with stage IV carcinoma. By the end of this study, 10 patients have survived; five-year overall survival of 66.3%. Surviving patients were all of stage I or II diseases and were all in remission. Seven patients who did not survive died due to tumor progression, while one patient died after chemotherapy. The prognosis of ACC is essentially dependent on a successful complete resection of the tumor and thus on the initial tumor stage. The mitotane and DEP protocols may help control tumor growth in the advanced stages for only short periods. Key pointsInitial stage and resectability are the main indicators of outcomes in adrenocortical carcinoma.Chemotherapeutic agents used in developed countries did not achieve the same outcomes.Further molecular-pharmacology differentiation is needed for various ethnic populations.

Nonfunctioning Adrenocortical Carcinoma in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Case Report of a Rare Multiple Primaries Combination.

Childhood adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare tumor and its association with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is even rarer. One such case is discussed in this case report. A 3-year-old patient was concomitantly diagnosed with ALL and an initially nonmetastatic ACC. Management started by following the Total XV protocol without a window phase. Left adrenalectomy was conducted after the consolidation phase. Recurrence of a mass at the tumor bed was discovered at week 33 of the continuation phase. Reexcision was conducted, followed by the administration of an ACC protocol including cisplatin, etoposide, and doxirubicin. Mitotane was added when a pulmonary metastasis was discovered and then stopped after the patient suffered from an arachnoid cyst and speech difficulties. The ALL protocol was resumed from week 34 of the continuation phase. Progression of pulmonary nodules was noted after week 45. A pulmonary metastectomy was performed. The ALL protocol was resumed up to week 51 with a good response as proven by assessment of minimal residual disease. A further recurrence was diagnosed at the abdominal tumor bed with a paravertebral mass and a pulmonary nodule. The patient was assigned to palliative treatment and died after a 32-month survival. Such rare associations need more extensive discussions of the best possible management in scientific literature.

Childhood Ewing Sarcoma of the Orbit.

In the span of the last 48 years, only 33 cases of children with orbital Ewing sarcoma have been reported. This study is to present 3 cases that were admitted to Children's Cancer Hospital Egypt 57357, during the period from 2009 to 2013. We have 2 cases treated using the hospital standard Ewing sarcoma treatment protocol, to completion, whereas the third discontinued treatment. All tumors have confirmed CD99 positivity, although translocation (11;22) was positive in 1 patient and negative in the third. With earlier diagnosis and adequate surgical resection and integration of chemotherapy and radiotherapy 1 patient survived for about 4 years, whereas the other 2 cases died due to disease progression or recurrence.

Relationship between oxidized low-density lipoprotein antibodies and obesity in different glycemic situations.

BACKGROUND: Autoantibodies to oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) are a heterogeneous group of antibodies that are controversially discussed to be either pathogenic or protective. Biochemical and anthropometric measurements correlated with increased levels of these antibodies are also controversial, especially in conditions of impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The present study was conducted to evaluate levels of oxLDL antibodies and their correlation with obesity in different glycemic situations. METHODS: Two hundred and seventy-four adult males were classified into three subgroups: group 1 (n=125), comprising a control group of nondiabetic subjects; group 2 (n=77), comprising subjects with impaired glucose tolerance; and group 3 (n=72), comprising patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Body mass index was calculated, and measurement of oxLDL and oxLDL antibodies was performed. RESULTS: Higher mean concentrations of oxLDL were found in the type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance groups (143.5±21.9 U/L and 108.7±23.7 U/L, respectively). The mean value for the control group was 73.5±27.5 U/L (P<0.001). Higher mean concentrations of anti-oxLDL antibodies were observed in the type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance groups (55.7±17.8 U/L and 40.4±17.6 U/L, respectively). The mean value for the control group was 20.4±10 U/L (P<0.001). Levels of anti-oxLDL antibodies were found to be positively and significantly correlated with body mass index in the control group (r=0.46), impaired glucose tolerance (r=0.51), type 2 diabetes mellitus group (r=0.46), and in the whole study population (r=0.44; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Anti-oxLDL antibody levels were increased in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance and were positively correlated with obesity and body mass index.