Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty versus penetrating keratoplasty in bullous keratopathy: A 2-year analysis of graft survival and outcomes in a tertiary eye centre in Kuala Lumpur.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to compare the 2-year graft survival and outcomes of descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) and penetrating keratoplasty (PK) for the treatment of bullous keratopathy (BK) among multiethnic Malaysia populations treated at a Tertiary Eye Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of BK or Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (FED) patients who underwent DSEK or PK from 2015 to 2019 in Kuala Lumpur Hospital with a minimal post-operative follow-up of 2 years. Outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), graft survival and complications. A total of 26 DSEK cases and 32 PK cases were included. RESULTS: At 2 years, graft survival rates were quite similar in two groups (DSEK 80.8% vs PK 75%, p=0.765). The mean follow-up period was 35.2 months in DSEK and 31.4 months for PK (p=0.465). The cumulative survival rates were slightly higher in the DSEK group (DSEK 73.1% vs PK 53.1%, p=0.119), but the result was not statistically significant. Postoperative complications were associated with higher graft failure in both groups (p=0.019). DSEK group has better post-operative BCVA (LogMAR DSEK 0.42 vs PK 0.83, p=0.003). CONCLUSION: Similar graft survival rates were observed with both corneal transplant techniques for 2 years among Malaysian patients with BK. Post-operative complications can cause a higher risk of graft failure. DSEK produced better post-operative BCVA compared to PK.

Genetic Variation/Evolution and Differential Host Responses Resulting from In-Patient Adaptation of Mycobacterium avium.

Members of the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) are characterized as nontuberculosis mycobacteria and are pathogenic mainly in immunocompromised individuals. MAC strains show a wide genetic variability, and there is growing evidence suggesting that genetic differences may contribute to a varied immune response that may impact the infection outcome. The current study aimed to characterize the genomic changes within M.avium isolates collected from single patients over time and test the host immune responses to these clinical isolates. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and whole-genome sequencing were performed on 40 MAC isolates isolated from 15 patients at the Department of Medical Microbiology at St. Olavs Hospital in Trondheim, Norway. Isolates from patients (patients 4, 9, and 13) for whom more than two isolates were available were selected for further analysis. These isolates exhibited extensive sequence variation in the form of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), suggesting that M. avium accumulates mutations at higher rates during persistent infections than other mycobacteria. Infection of murine macrophages and mice with sequential isolates from patients showed a tendency toward increased persistence and the downregulation of inflammatory cytokines by host-adapted M. avium strains. The study revealed the rapid genetic evolution of M. avium in chronically infected patients, accompanied by changes in the virulence properties of the sequential mycobacterial isolates.

[Prospective association between early adiposity rebound and adolescent development in girls].

Objective: To determine possible relations between early adiposity rebound and adolescent development. Methods: Prospective children cohort from 2 kindergartens selected through clustering convenience sampling method in Anhui Province was established since Sep. 2010. Participants were classified as Cohort 1 (2010), Cohort 2 (2011) and Cohort 3 (2012) according to the recruiting year. Till Sep. 2015, a toal of 802 girls were included in this study, and received follow-up till primary school. During kindergarten period, physical examination was carried out every 3 months, 8 times in total. In primary school, physical examination was carried out annually; till Sep.2015, the cohort 1, 2, 3 took physical examination for 12, 11, 10 times, respectively. Information on household economic status and child physical activity was acquired through parents questionnaire survey, and breast development were assessed through visual inspection and palpation. Adiposity rebound was determined according to Rolland-Cachera's method for each girl. Differences between early adiposity rebound and normal adiposity rebound groups were compared by using t test and χ(2) test. Multivariate regression analysis was applied to explore the association between early adiposity rebound and breast development. Results: The average age of participants was (8.90±0.87) years old and the BMI was (17.48±2.70) kg/m(2). The average age at adiposity rebound was (6.16±0.90) years old and the BMI was (15.33±1.82) kg/m(2). Premature breast development was found significantly higher in girls in early adiposity rebound group (27.8%, 54/802) than it in normal adiposity rebound group (13.7%) (P<0.001). After current adiposity, age, household economic status, childhood physical activity adjusted, the OR of premature beast development in early adiposity rebound group was 2.41(95%CI: 1.41-4.12). Conclusion: Early adiposity rebound increases the risk of premature puberty in girls.

A catalog of associations between rare coding variants and COVID-19 outcomes.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), a respiratory illness that can result in hospitalization or death. We investigated associations between rare genetic variants and seven COVID-19 outcomes in 543,213 individuals, including 8,248 with COVID-19. After accounting for multiple testing, we did not identify any clear associations with rare variants either exome-wide or when specifically focusing on (i) 14 interferon pathway genes in which rare deleterious variants have been reported in severe COVID-19 patients; (ii) 167 genes located in COVID-19 GWAS risk loci; or (iii) 32 additional genes of immunologic relevance and/or therapeutic potential. Our analyses indicate there are no significant associations with rare protein-coding variants with detectable effect sizes at our current sample sizes. Analyses will be updated as additional data become available, with results publicly browsable at https://rgc-covid19.regeneron.com.

[Pregnancy-related anxiety associated with small-for-gestational-age infants].

Objective: To investigate the second or third trimester pregnancy-related anxiety on small-for-gestational-age infants. Methods: This study was based on Ma'anshan Birth Cohort Study (MABC), with 3 040 maternal-singleton pairs finally selected for data analysis, from May 2013 to September 2014. The psychological state of pregnancy was evaluated according to a self-developed 'anxiety scale for gestation'. Small-for-gestational-age was defined as 'having birth weight below the 10(th) percentile at a particular gestational week', while large-for-gestational-age infants was defined as 'having birth weight above the 90(th) percentile'. Birth weight between the 10(th) and 90(th) percentile was classified as appropriate-for-gestational age infants. χ(2) test was used to compare the distribution of characteristics in pregnancy among three groups with different birth weights. Multivariate logistic regression models were conducted to evaluate the associations between third trimester pregnancy- related anxiety and birth weight. Results: The incidence rates of small- and large-gestational-age infants were 9.6% and 16.6%, respectively. Difference between women with only one of the second or third trimester pregnancy-related anxiety syndromes and small-for-gestational-age infants showed no statistical significance. Women with both second and third trimester pregnancy-related anxieties might increase the risk of small-for-gestational-age infants (OR=1.39, 95%CI: 1.04-1.87). However, there was no significant difference between pregnancy-related anxiety and large-for- gestational-age infants (OR=1.05, 95%CI: 0.81-1.35) noticed. Conclusion: Women with second and third trimester pregnancy-related anxiety appeared a risk factor for small-for-gestational-age infants.

Timing and necessity of endoscopy in AIDS patients with dysphagia or odynophagia.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Dysphagia and odynophagia are common problems with significant morbidity in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. Endoscopy in AIDS patients with esophageal symptoms is valuable for diagnosis, but the timing and necessity of routine endoscopy remains controversial. METHODOLOGY: We retrospectively studied 40 AIDS patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Among them, 25 patients were enroled with dysphagia and/or odynophagia and were put on empirical fluconazole treatment before endoscopic evaluation. RESULTS: Fourteen (56%) of 25 patients improved after fluconazole treatment, while 11 patients had persistent symptoms. Among the 14 patients with symptomatic improvement, 7 were found to have esophageal candidiasis which improved after continuation of fluconazole for 1-2 more weeks. The other 7 patients had a normal endoscopic appearance. In contrast, among 11 patients with persistent symptoms, there were 3 patients with azole-resistant candidiasis, 3 with cytomegalovirus esophagitis, 1 with herpes simplex virus esophagitis with candidiasis, 1 with Kaposi's sarcoma, and 3 with idiopathic esophageal ulcer. They were successfully treated with Amphotericin B, Ganciclovir, Acyclovior, and oral steroids, except for the patient with Kaposi's sarcoma. CONCLUSIONS: Routine endoscopy may not necessarily be indicated in every AIDS patient with dysphagia or odynophagia. Empirical fluconazole treatment can improve symptoms in 50% of patients. It is only indicated when patients have persistent symptoms after empirical treatment. With endoscopic examination, etiologic agents other than common candidiasis can be determined and the patients can thus be put on specific treatment.

Long-term follow-up of interferon alfa treatment in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B infection: The effect on hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion and the development of cirrhosis-related complications.

The long-term effect of interferon alfa (IFN-alpha) in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B infection is unknown. A total of 411 chronic hepatitis B patients (208 treated with IFN-alpha and 203 as control) were followed up for hepatitis B serology and the development of hepatoma and other cirrhosis-related complications. The hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion rate in the IFN-alpha-treated group, though significantly greater at 6 and 24 months, was comparable with the control group on subsequent follow-up, irrespective of pretreatment alanine transaminase (ALT) levels. HBeAg seroreversion rate was higher in the IFN-alpha group compared with the control group (21.1% vs. 2.2%; P =.001). Loss of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) occurred in 2.4% of the IFN-alpha-treated patients and 0.49% of the control patients (P = NS). Around 90% of the anti-HBe-positive patients in both groups were still hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA-positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Two patients suffered from hepatic reactivation during the course of treatment. Nine (4.3%) patients in the IFN-alpha group and 2 (1.0%) in the control group developed complications of cirrhosis and hepatoma (P =.062). In Chinese HBsAg carriers, IFN-alpha was of no long-term benefit in inducing HBeAg seroconversion or in the prevention of hepatoma and other cirrhosis-related complications.

Amebic liver abscess and human immunodeficiency virus infection: a report of three cases.

Invasive amebiasis rarely occurs in homosexual men and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals and has not been regarded as a beacon for concomitant HIV infection. We encountered a bisexual man with a protracted course of amebic liver abscess and amebic colitis. In the presence of fever, generalized lymphadenopathy, and elevated serum aminotransferase levels, HIV infection was suspected and then confirmed by a de novo seroconversion of HIV antibody. Subsequently, we noted two consecutive patients with amebic liver abscess, also later found to be infected with HIV. The ameba obtained from these three cases was identified as Entamoeba histolytica by amplification of 16S ribosomal RNA by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. This observation suggests that amebic liver abscess and colitis can be presentations for HIV infection in the Far East. Thus, the local patients with invasive amebiasis, especially those with a protracted course or with risk factors of HIV infection, should be tested for HIV.