Exploring under-five mortality disparities: a comparative analysis of rural and urban areas in Punjab-Pakistan, using Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey data.

OBJECTIVES: Child health is a social and economic development indicator. Pakistan is one of the countries with a high rate of under-five mortality. This research aims to examine several demographic, geographical, socioeconomic, health-related, and environmental factors related to under-five mortality in both rural and urban areas of Punjab, Pakistan. STUDY DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study. METHODS: We used data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2017-18 of children aged between 0 and 59 months (n = 39,024), steered by the Punjab Bureau of Statistics. Children who died before reaching the age of five were considered as outcome variables. The bivariate relationship of the outcome variable with each socio-economic, demographic, health-seeking, and environmental variable is estimated with a P-value of <0.01. We used logistic regression analysis separately. Inclusive descriptive statistics were used for the detailed analysis, i.e., compare means, cross-tabulations, independent sample t-tests, and comparison across rural-urban areas. RESULTS: Results showed that in the mother-level variables, mother education plays a substantial role in reducing mortality; the higher the level of education, the lower the mortality rate. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that improving drinking water sources, such as tap and bottled water, can reduce the incidence of mortality, particularly in low-income households. Therefore, interventions targeting children are likely to be most effective for reducing the under-five mortality rate in Pakistan.

Independent Risk Factors and Economic Burden Associated With Delayed Extubation Following Pediatric Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Successful early extubation (EE) after liver transplant (LT) has been shown to reduce intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay and infectious, vascular, and sedation-related complications in adults. EE may not always be feasible in children, and many may require prolonged mechanical ventilation. Limited data exists regarding the candidacy of EE, risk factors, consequences, and hospital costs of delayed extubation (DE) in pediatric LT. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review to investigate predictive factors and associated costs of EE and DE in infants and children after orthotopic LT at our institution between 2011 and 2021. RESULTS: Of 338 LT (median age 39 months, 54% females), 246 (73%) had EE (within 24 h of LT), while 27% had DE. Age < 1 year (p = 0.0019), diagnosis of biliary atresia (0.02), abnormal pre-LT echocardiogram (0.02), and patients with ongoing hospital admission before LT (0.0001) were independently associated with DE. Hospital costs were significantly (∼3-fold) higher (p < 0.0001) in the DE group. In addition, factors associated with increased total hospital costs were age < 1 year and hospitalization before LT. CONCLUSION: EE post-LT is feasible and merits a trial. The prevalence of DE though modest is associated with increased resource utilization and hospital costs. Children who can be extubated early and those at risk for DE can be identified pre-operatively for optimal planning and allocation of resources.

Treatment-Resistant Immunoproliferative Small Intestinal Disease (IPSID) Leading to Lymphoma.

Immunoproliferative small intestinal disease (IPSID) is a distinct variant of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, often linked to chronic Campylobacter jejuni infection. Characterized as an extra-nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma, IPSID predominantly affects the proximal small intestine. It features lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and deposition of monotypic α-heavy chains in the lamina propria, leading to blunted intestinal villi, malabsorption, and protein-losing enteropathy. IPSID's clinical spectrum ranges from lymphoid infiltration to malignant diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Similar to MALT lymphoma, early-stage IPSID can be resolved with antibiotic therapy. This case study documents a 50-year-old Nigerian woman presenting with recurrent watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss, unresponsive to antibiotics. A 50-year-old female immigrant from Nigeria presented with recurrent watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, and significant weight loss, all refractory to antibiotic treatment. Initial diagnostic investigations revealed a positive Campylobacter stool antigen, mesenteric lymphadenopathy on CT and gallium scans, and diffuse mucosal lymphoplasmacytic infiltration with villi flattening on small bowel biopsies. An octreotide scan identified a reactive mesenteric lymph node, confirmed by surgical biopsy as reactive lymphadenitis. The patient was diagnosed with IPSID and commenced antibiotic therapy, which initially resolved her symptoms. However, she experienced frequent recurrences requiring multiple hospitalizations and repeated courses of intravenous antibiotics. Eventually, the disease progressed to lymphoma, necessitating chemotherapy initiation. This case underscores the diagnostic complexities of IPSID, particularly in distinguishing it from other causes of mesenteric lymphadenopathy. It also highlights the challenges in preventing disease progression from a benign to a malignant state despite appropriate antibiotic treatment. Given IPSID's prevalence in endemic regions, it should be considered in differential diagnoses for similar presentations. Continuous monitoring is crucial to evaluate therapeutic response and mitigate the risk of progression to lymphoma. IPSID presents a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. This case exemplifies the necessity for heightened clinical awareness, especially in patients from endemic regions, and the importance of rigorous monitoring to prevent malignant transformation. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms behind IPSID progression in certain patients despite repeated antibiotic interventions.

Exploring variation in length of hospital stay among an elderly cohort of acute surgical admissions.

Aim Increased length of stay (LOS) indicates complex health care needs. It is unclear if age alone can be used as an indicator of longer hospital stays. Methods Retrospective review of acute surgical admissions (2016-2018) was performed, dividing data into three age groups (Group 1 (ages 65­74), Group 2 (ages 75­84) and Group 3 ( aged 85 and above). Effect of the independent variables; age, Groups of Episodes with similar diagnosis (GESD) and surgical interventions was noted on the LOS as well as discharge disposition and mortality. Subset analysis was performed for admissions with above average LOS. Results 1880 (27.7%) patients (total admissions=6793) were analysed. Mean LOS in each age group was 12.5, 13.3 and 12.5 days respectively (p=0.68). There was a mean 13 day increase with acute surgical intervention under General Anaesthesia, in comparison to 7.3 days and 5 days for Interventional Radiology and emergency endoscopy. 1496 (79.6%) patients were discharged home. 118 (66.0%) patients transferred to convalescent centres were over 75 years. Among those with above average LOS no significant correlation was found between sex, diagnosis, interventions with longer LOS. Discussion In acute settings, variables other than age are important to understand the variation in LOS. LOS is significantly influenced by diagnosis and acute intervention. Once patients exceed average LOS, resources should be explored to facilitate discharge planning.

Postoperative outcomes of acute-on-chronic liver failure in infants and children with biliary atresia.

INTRODUCTION: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is associated with increased mortality and morbidity in patients with biliary atresia (BA). Data on impact of ACLF on postoperative outcomes, however, are sparse. METHOD: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with BA aged <18 years who underwent LT between 2011 and 2021 at our institution. ACLF was defined using the pediatric ACLF criteria: ≥1 extra-hepatic organ failure in children with decompensated cirrhosis. RESULTS: Of 107 patients (65% female; median age 14 [9-31] months) who received a LT, 13 (12%) had ACLF during the index admission prior to LT. Two (15%) had Grade 1; 4 (30%) had Grade 2; and 7 (55%) had Grade ≥3 ACLF. ACLF cohort was younger at time of listing (5 [4-8] vs. 9 [6-24] months; p < .001) and at LT (8 [8-11] vs. 16 [10-40] months, p < .001) compared to no-ACLF group. Intraoperatively, ACLF patients had higher blood loss (40 [20-53] vs. 10 [6-19] mL/kg; p < .001) and blood transfusion requirements (33 [21-69] vs. 18 [7-25] mL/kg; p = .004). Postoperatively, they needed higher vasopressor support (31% vs. 10.6%; p = .04) and had higher total hospital length of stay (106 [45-151] vs. 13 [7-30] days; p = .023). Rate of return to the operating room, hospital readmission rates, and 1-year post-LT survival rates were comparable between the groups. CONCLUSION: Despite higher perioperative complications, survival outcomes for ACLF in BA after LT are favorable and comparable to those without ACLF. These encouraging data reiterate prioritization during organ allocation of these critically ill children for LT.

Dyakonov waves generation at uniaxial chiral-plasma interface.

Numerical analysis of Dyakonov waves generation has been carried out at uniaxial chiral-plasma planar interface. The extended electromagnetic wave theory is utilized, and an impedance boundary conditions approach is employed to obtain characteristics equation. Effective mode index and attenuation under the different values of collisional frequency, plasma frequency and chirality in the THz frequency range for three cases for uniaxial chiral media are discussed. These results can be used in the field of photonics and integrated optics to fabricate nanophotonic devices in the THz frequency range.

Estimating risk of prolonged mechanical ventilation after liver transplantation in children: PROVE-ALT score.

BACKGROUND: Children at high risk for prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) after liver transplantation (LT) need to be identified early to optimize pulmonary support, allocate resources, and improve surgical outcomes. We aimed to develop and validate a metric that can estimate risk for Prolonged Ventilation After LT (PROVE-ALT). METHODS: We identified preoperative risk factors for PMV by univariable analysis in a retrospective cohort of pediatric LT recipients between 2011 and 2017 (n = 205; derivation cohort). We created the PROVE-ALT score by mapping multivariable logistic regression coefficients as integers, with cutoff values using the Youden Index. We validated the score by C-statistic in a retrospectively collected separate cohort of pediatric LT recipients between 2018 and 2021 (n = 133, validation cohort). RESULTS: Among total 338 patients, 21% (n = 72) were infants; 49% (n = 167) had cirrhosis; 8% (n = 27) required continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT); and 32% (n = 111) required management in hospital (MIH) before LT. Incidence of PMV post-LT was 20% (n = 69) and 3% (n = 12) required tracheostomy. Independent risk factors (OR [95% CI]) for PMV were cirrhosis (3.8 [1-14], p = .04); age <1-year (8.2 [2-30], p = .001); need for preoperative CRRT (6.3 [1.2-32], p = .02); and MIH before LT (12.4 [2.1-71], p = .004). PROVE-ALT score ≥8 [Range = 0-21] accurately predicted PMV in the validation cohort with 73% sensitivity and 80% specificity (AUC: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.71-0.91). CONCLUSION: PROVE-ALT can predict PMV after pediatric LT with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. Once externally validated in other centers, PROVE-ALT will empower clinicians to plan patient-specific ventilation strategies, provide parental anticipatory guidance, and optimize hospital resources.

Elevated bile acids are associated with left ventricular structural changes in biliary atresia.

BACKGROUND: In children with biliary atresia (BA), pathologic structural changes within the heart, which define cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, are associated with adverse perioperative outcomes. Despite their clinical relevance, little is known about the pathogenesis and triggers of pathologic remodeling. Bile acid excess causes cardiomyopathy in experimental cirrhosis, but its role in BA is poorly understood. METHODS: Echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular (LV) geometry [LV mass (LVM), LVM indexed to height, left atrial volume indexed to BSA (LAVI), and LV internal diameter (LVID)] were correlated with circulating serum bile acid concentrations in 40 children (52% female) with BA listed for transplantation. A receiver-operating characteristic curve was generated to determine optimal threshold values of bile acids to detect pathologic changes in LV geometry using Youden index. Paraffin-embedded human heart tissue was separately analyzed by immunohistochemistry for the presence of bile acid-sensing Takeda G-protein-coupled membrane receptor type 5. RESULTS: In the cohort, 52% (21/40) of children had abnormal LV geometry; the optimal bile acid concentration to detect this abnormality with 70% sensitivity and 64% specificity was 152 µmol/L (C-statistics=0.68). Children with bile acid concentrations >152 µmol/L had ∼8-fold increased odds of detecting abnormalities in LVM, LVM index, left atrial volume index, and LV internal diameter. Serum bile acids positively correlated with LVM, LVM index, and LV internal diameter. Separately, Takeda G-protein-coupled membrane receptor type 5 protein was detected in myocardial vasculature and cardiomyocytes on immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSION: This association highlights the unique role of bile acids as one of the targetable potential triggers for myocardial structural changes in BA.

Vitrifying expanded equine embryos collapsed by blastocoel aspiration is less damaging than slow-freezing.

The cryotolerance of equine blastocysts larger than 300 µm can be improved by aspirating blastocoele fluid prior to vitrification; however, it is not known whether blastocoele aspiration also enables successful slow-freezing. The aim of this study was therefore to determine whether slow-freezing of expanded equine embryos following blastocoele collapse was more or less damaging than vitrification. Grade 1 blastocysts recovered on day 7 or 8 after ovulation were measured (>300-550 µm, n = 14 and > 550 µm, n = 19) and blastocoele fluid was aspirated prior to slow-freezing in 10% glycerol (n = 14), or vitrification (n = 13) in 16.5% ethylene glycol/16.5% DMSO/0.5 M sucrose. Immediately after thawing or warming, embryos were cultured for 24 h at 38 °C and then graded and measured to assess re-expansion. Control embryos (n = 6) were cultured for 24 h following aspiration of blastocoel fluid, without cryopreservation or exposure to cryoprotectants. Subsequently, embryos were stained to assess live/dead cell proportion (DAPI/TOPRO-3), cytoskeleton quality (Phalloidin) and capsule integrity (WGA). For 300-550 µm embryos, quality grade and re-expansion were impaired after slow-freezing but not affected by vitrification. Slow-freezing embryos >550 µm induced additional cell damage as indicated by a significant increase in dead cell proportion and disruption of the cytoskeleton; neither of these changes were observed in vitrified embryos. Capsule loss was not a significant consequence of either freezing method. In conclusion, slow-freezing of expanded equine blastocysts collapsed by blastocoel aspiration compromises post-thaw embryo quality more than vitrification.

Prevalence of Gram positive bacteria in the affected individuals of Otitis media with effusion from the indigenous population of Southern Punjab, Pakistan: first report.

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a type of otitis media (OM) characterized by the presence of fluid behind intact tympanic membrane and is one of the most common diseases of early childhood. It is an infectious disease associated with the presence of many pathogenic bacteria in the middle ear of affected individuals. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of Gram-positive bacteria from the middle ear of OME patients in the population of Southern Punjab, Pakistan. The incidence of OME under comprehensive healthcare setting was investigated in patients who consulted at the department of ear, throat and nose, Bahawal Victoria Hospital (BVH), Bahawalpur, from December, 2019 to May, 2021. Ear swabs were taken from affected and normal individuals. After culturing bacteria from the ear swabs, microscopic analysis and biochemical tests were performed to characterize the cultured Gram-positive bacteria. Out of 352 patients examined, 109 (30.9%) patients had OME. Age of the participants ranged from 14 to 50 years; individuals between the ages of 14 and 22 years had the highest infection rates, while individuals between 40 and 50 years had the lowest rate of infection. Tympanic membrane perforation, fever, cough, sore throat, ear pain and hearing problem showed association with symptoms of OME. Microscopic analysis and biochemical characterization showed the presence of streptococci and staphylococci in all the studied samples. The most frequently isolated bacteria were Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus with percentage of 53.3%, 20% and 13.3% respectively. Enterococcus faecalis (6.6%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (6.6%) were also identified in the studied samples. This study will help in the better medical administration of OME affected individuals.

The use of tracheostomy to support critically ill children receiving orthotopic liver transplantation: a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Children with end-stage liver disease and multi-organ failure, previously considered as poor surgical candidates, can now benefit from liver transplantation (LT). They often need prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV) post-LT and may need tracheostomy to advance care. Data on tracheostomy after pediatric LT are lacking. METHOD: Retrospective chart review of children who required tracheostomy in the peri-LT period in a large, freestanding quaternary children's hospital from 2014 to 2019. RESULTS: Out of 205 total orthotopic LTs performed in 200 children, 18 (9%) required tracheostomy in the peri-transplant period: 4 (2%) pre-LT and 14 (7%) post-LT. Among those 14 needing tracheostomy post-LT, median age was 9 months [IQR = 7, 14] at LT and 10 months [9, 17] at tracheostomy. Nine (64%) were infants and 12 (85%) were cirrhotic at the time of LT. Seven (50%) were intubated before LT. Median MV days prior to LT was 23 [7, 36]. Eight (57%) patients received perioperative continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). The median MV days from LT to tracheostomy was 46 [33, 56]; total MV days from initial intubation to tracheostomy was 57 [37, 66]. Four (28%) children died, of which 3 (21%) died within 1 year of transplant. Total ICU and hospital length of stay were 92 days [I72, 126] and 177 days [115, 212] respectively. Among survivors, 3/10 (30%) required MV at home and 8/10 (80%) were successfully decannulated at 400 median days [283, 584]. CONCLUSION: Tracheostomy though rare after LT remains a feasible option to support and rehabilitate critically ill children who need prolonged MV in the peri-LT period.

Idiopathic Terminal Ileal Ulceration Mimicking Crohn's in the Setting of Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has precipitously decreased the morbidity associated with human immunodeficiency virus but can unmask and exacerbate opportunistic infections and autoimmune diseases. Various diseases have been reported in association with ART initiation, but there is scant literature describing inflammatory colitis in the setting of ART initiation. We present a 39-year-old man with chronic untreated human immunodeficiency virus and central nervous system toxoplasmosis who developed persistent diarrhea after initiation of ART. A comprehensive infectious workup was negative. Computed tomography demonstrated terminal ileum enteritis, which was confirmed by colonoscopy. Biopsy of the terminal ileum revealed fibrinous exudate and granulation tissue.

Cannabis use history is associated with increased prevalence of ascites among patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A nationwide analysis.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have revealed the endocannabinoid system as a potential therapeutic target in the management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Cannabis use is associated with reduced risk for NAFLD, we hypothesized that cannabis use would be associated with less liver-related clinical complications in patients with NAFLD. AIM: To assess the effects of cannabis use on liver-related clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with NAFLD. METHODS: We performed a retrospective matched cohort study based on querying the 2014 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) for hospitalizations of adults with a diagnosis of NAFLD. The NIS database is publicly available and the largest all-payer inpatient database in the United States. The patients with cannabis use were selected as cases and those without cannabis were selected as controls. Case-control matching at a ratio of one case to two controls was performed based on sex, age, race, and comorbidities. The liver-related outcomes such as portal hypertension, ascites, varices and variceal bleeding, and cirrhosis were compared between the groups. RESULTS: A total of 49911 weighed hospitalizations with a diagnosis of NAFLD were identified. Of these, 3820 cases were selected as the cannabis group, and 7625 non-cannabis cases were matched as controls. Patients with cannabis use had a higher prevalence of ascites (4.5% vs 3.6%), with and without cannabis use, P = 0.03. The prevalence of portal hypertension (2.1% vs 2.2%), varices and variceal bleeding (1.3% vs 1.7%), and cirrhosis (3.7% vs 3.6%) was not different between the groups, with and without cannabis use, all P > 0.05. Hyperlipidemia, race/ethnicity other than White, Black, Asian, Pacific Islander or Native American, and higher comorbidity score were independent risk factors for ascites in the cannabis group. Among non-cannabis users, obesity and hyperlipidemia were independent protective factors against ascites while older age, Native American and higher comorbidity index were independent risk factors for ascites. CONCLUSION: Cannabis was associated with higher rates of ascites, but there was no statistical difference in the prevalence of portal hypertension, varices and variceal bleeding, and cirrhosis.

Severe Gastrointestinal Mucositis Following Concurrent Palbociclib and Palliative Radiation Therapy.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Palbociclib is an FDA-approved cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor for the treatment of advanced breast cancer. Limited information is available regarding the toxicity of palbociclib and concurrent radiation therapy. CASE REPORT: Herein, we report a case of esophageal toxicity in a patient treated with palbociclib and radiation therapy. A 63-year-old woman was treated with palbociclib followed by palliative radiation therapy. The patient presented three days after completing radiation therapy with severe odynophagia, and dysphagia and was found to have grade 2-3 esophageal ulcers. Palbociclib and radiation therapy was held on admission, and a resolution of her symptoms and improvement in her oral intake was noted at which time she was restarted on palbociclib with no further radiation treatment. CONCLUSION: Caution is advised when patients are undergoing concurrent palbociclib and even low-dose palliative radiation treatment. In these patients, providers should maintain a high index of suspicion for toxicities such as dermatitis or mucositis.

A Novel Approach to Dilation of Complete Colorectal Anastomotic Stricture Using Transillumination.

Colorectal anastomotic strictures are a well-known complication of low anterior resection. Depending on their location, strictures are amendable to different forms of endoscopic intervention. However, all endoscopic interventions are contingent on passing a guidewire across the anastomotic stricture. We present the case of a patient with a complete anastomotic stricture that could not be traversed by conventional endoscopy and the unique method by which a lumen was created in the anastomotic strictures that allowed for a guidewire to be passed across.

Ferrous Sulfate-Induced Esophageal Injury Leading to Esophagitis Dissecans Superficialis.

Medication-induced esophagitis is a well-known but relatively rare clinical diagnosis, most common in patients with preexisting esophageal dysmotility, obstruction, or altered anatomy. Esophagitis dissecans superficialis (EDS) is a rare endoscopic finding characterized by sloughing of large fragments of the esophageal mucosal lining. The causes of EDS include prior trauma, heavy smoking history, ingestion of alcoholic and hot beverages, and immunosuppression. We present a unique case of EDS secondary to ferrous sulfate-induced pill esophagitis. The patient was a 94-year-old male who presented with dysphagia to solids, odynophagia, and weight loss. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) revealed EDS. Biopsies demonstrated vacuolar degeneration at the midlevel of the epithelium with overlying hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis, with noted black/brown pigment present at the level of the split in the epithelium. The patient was started on a liquid diet with no oral administration of pills. EGD was repeated and showed a significant improvement in esophageal mucosa and resolution of strictures. Although medication-induced esophagitis is not classically associated with EDS, specific circumstances that are associated with pill esophagitis may lead to progression to EDS. In the case of our patient, prolonged contact of ferrous sulfate to the esophageal mucosa is thought be a result of an enlarged left atrium and pulmonary arteries secondary to longstanding coronary artery disease and an enlarged left bronchus secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and right pneumonectomy. These anatomical changes likely led to an extended duration of contact and are believed to have led to erosion of the superficial esophageal mucosa, eventually progressing to EDS.

A Rare Presentation of Poorly Differentiated Lung Carcinoma with Duodenal Metastasis and Literature Review.

Lung cancer is a common malignancy which is frequently found to metastasize to distant sites including bone, liver, and adrenal glands. There are rare reports of metastases to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, with the duodenum being the most uncommon. We present a rare case of a poorly differentiated lung carcinoma metastasizing to the duodenum. This case enhances the medical literature as it provides additional distinct features to the clinical and histological presentation of metastatic lung carcinoma to the GI tract. A 61-year-old male with a history of poorly differentiated lung carcinoma presented with worsening dizziness, fatigue, and early satiety. He had extensive workup done in the past for hemoptysis including a computerized tomography scan of the chest which showed a new lobulated, apical lesion and hilar lymphadenopathy. He ultimately had a transthoracic fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of the mass and was later diagnosed with poorly differentiated lung carcinoma. On examination, the patient was noted to be pale, tachycardic, and hypotensive. The patient was noted to have an acute drop in his hemoglobin requiring fluid resuscitation, multiple blood transfusions, and evaluation with an esophagogastroduodenoscopy. He was found to have an oozing ulcer in the third portion of the duodenum whose biopsies showed poorly differentiated carcinoma with areas of neuroendocrine differentiation, similar to his lung biopsy results, which was consistent with metastatic lung carcinoma.