School-based diabetes care: A national survey of U.S. pediatric diabetes providers.

Objectives: To understand the practices, attitudes, and beliefs of type 1 diabetes (T1D) providers towards school-based diabetes care (SBDC), including counseling families and communicating with schools, and explore the barriers and facilitators which affect their support of SBDC. Research Design and Methods: We conducted a national survey of pediatric T1D providers about their perceived support of SBDC, including family counseling and school communication. We used descriptive statistics to analyze results and explored differences by practice size (<500, 500-999, and ≥1000 patients) and environment (academic vs non-academic). Results: A total of 149 providers completed the survey. Nearly all (95%) indicated SBDC was very important. Though most (63%) reported counseling families about SBDC multiple times per year, few (19%) spoke with school staff routinely, reporting that was a shared responsibility among different providers. Close to 90% agreed school feedback on T1D management plans would be helpful, yet only 31% routinely requested this input. Moderate to extremely significant barriers to SBDC communication included internal factors, such as staff resources (67%) and time (82%), and external factors, such as school nurse education needs (62%) and differing school district policies (70%). Individuals from large or academic practices reported more barriers in their knowledge of SBDC, including federal/state laws. Desired facilitators for SBDC included a designated school liaison (84%), electronic transmission for school forms (90%), and accessible school staff education (95%). Conclusions: Though providers universally agree that SBDC is important, there are multilevel internal (practice) and external (policy) barriers to facilitating a bidirectional relationship between schools and health teams.

School Nurse Confidence with Diabetes Devices in Relation to Diabetes Knowledge and Prior Training: A Study of Convergent Validity.

Objective: The Diabetes Device Confidence Scale (DDCS) is a new scale designed to evaluate school nurse confidence with diabetes devices. We hypothesized that DDCS score would be associated with related constructs of school nurse diabetes knowledge, experience, and training. Research Design and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, we co-administered the DDCS and Diabetes Knowledge Test 2 (DKT2) questionnaires to school nurses in Pennsylvania. We summarized DDCS scores (range 1-5) descriptively. We evaluated the relationship between DKT2 percent score and DDCS mean score with the Spearman correlation coefficient. Simple linear regression examined school nurse characteristics as predictors of DDCS score. Results: A total of 271 completed surveys were received. Mean DDCS score was 3.16±0.94, indicating moderate confidence with devices overall. School nurses frequently reported low confidence in items representing specific skills, including suspending insulin delivery (40%), giving a manual bolus (42%), knowing when to calibrate a continuous glucose monitor (48%), changing an insulin pump site (54%), and setting a temporary basal rate (58%). Mean DKT2 score was 89.5±0.1%, which was weakly but not significantly correlated with DDCS score (r=0.12, p=0.06). Formal device training (p<0.001), assisting ≥5 students with diabetes devices in the past 5 years (p<0.01), and a student caseload between 1000-1500 students (p<0.001) were associated with higher mean DDCS score. Conclusions: DDCS score is related to prior training and experience, providing evidence for the scale's convergent validity. The DDCS may be a useful tool for assessing school nurse readiness to use devices and identify areas to enhance knowledge and practical skills.

Comparisons of school-day glycemia in different settings for children with type 1 diabetes using continuous glucose monitoring.

Objective: Using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), we examined patterns in glycemia during school hours for children with type 1 diabetes, exploring differences between school and non-school time. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of CGM metrics in children 7-12 years (n=217, diabetes duration 3.5±2.5 years, hemoglobin A1c 7.5±0.8%). Metrics were obtained for weekday school hours (8 AM to 3 PM) during four weeks in fall 2019. Two comparison settings included weekend (fall 2019) and weekday (spring 2020) data when children had transitioned to virtual school due to COVID-19. We used multilevel mixed models to examine factors associated with time in range (TIR) and compare glycemia between in-school, weekends, and virtual school. Results: Though CGM metrics were clinically similar across settings, TIR was statistically higher, and time above range (TAR), mean glucose, and standard deviation (SD) lower, for weekends and virtual school (p<0.001). Hour and setting exhibited a significant interaction for several metrics (p<0.001). TIR in-school improved from a mean of 40.9% at the start of the school day to 58.0% later in school, with a corresponding decrease in TAR. TIR decreased on weekends (60.8 to 50.7%) and virtual school (62.2 to 47.8%) during the same interval. Mean glucose exhibited a similar pattern, though there was little change in SD. Younger age (p=0.006), lower hemoglobin A1c (p<0.001), and insulin pump use (p=0.02) were associated with higher TIR in-school. Conclusion: Although TIR was higher for weekends and virtual school, glycemic metrics improve while in-school, possibly related to beneficial school day routines.

Interstitial Brachytherapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Analysis of Prognostic Factors for Overall Survival and Progression-Free Survival and Application of a Risk Stratification Model.

INTRODUCTION: Interstitial brachytherapy (iBT) is an effective treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Identification of prognostic factors is pivotal for patient selection and treatment efficacy. This study aimed to assess the impact of low skeletal muscle mass (LSMM) on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of iBT in patients with HCC. METHODS: For this single-center study, we retrospectively identified 77 patients with HCC who underwent iBT between 2011 and 2018. Follow-up visits were recorded until 2020. The psoas muscle area, psoas muscle index, psoas muscle density (MD), and the skeletal muscle gauge were assessed on the L3 level on pre-treatment cross-sectional CT scans. RESULTS: Median OS was 37 months. 42 patients (54.5%) had LSMM. An AFP level of >400 ng/ml (hazard ratio [HR] 5.705, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.228-14.606, p = 0.001), BCLC stage (HR 3.230, 95% CI: 0.972-10.735, p = 0.026), and LSMM (HR 3.365, 95% CI: 1.490-7.596, p = 0.002) showed a relevant association with OS. Weighted hazard ratios were used to form a predictive risk stratification model with three groups: patients with low risk (median OS 62 months), intermediate risk (median OS 31 months), and high risk (median OS 9 months). The model showed a good prediction of 1-year mortality, with an AUC of 0.71. Higher MD was associated with better PFS (HR 0.920, 95% CI: 0.881-0.962, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing iBT for HCC, LSMM is associated with worse OS. A risk stratification model based on LSMM, AFP >400 ng/mL, and BCLC stage successfully predicted patient mortality. The model may support and enhance patient selection.

Local ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma by interstitial brachytherapy: prediction of outcome by diffusion-weighted imaging.

BACKGROUND: Interstitial brachytherapy (iBT) has become a viable treatment option in the therapy of early and intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Prognostic imaging tools to predict patient outcome are missing. PURPOSE: To assess the predictive value of baseline diffusion-weighted imaging in HCC before iBT with regard to local tumor control and overall survival (OS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified 107 patients who underwent iBT for HCC from 2011 to 2018 from our database. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values for each treated lesion were analyzed in region of interest measurements. Additionally, explorative combined ratios adjusting total measured lesion area and mean measured lesion area per patient by ADC values were calculated. Measurements underwent a univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. The log rank test was then used to verify prognostic cutoff levels for median survival time. RESULTS: A total of 189 lesions in 81 patients were measured. Median survival of patients was 46.0 months. Neither ADC parameter was indicative of local tumor control. Lesion size >5 cm was associated with lower local tumor control (hazard ratio [HR]=4.292, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.285-14.331; P = 0.018). Average measured lesion area divided by ADCmin (ADCarea mean, min) was identified to independently predict OS (HR=1.994, 95% CI=1.172-3.392; P = 0.011). A cutoff based on the variable's median (0.29 × 10-4 AU) identified patients with poor outcome (OS 36 vs. 61 months) for lower ADCarea mean, min values as verified by the log-rank test (P = 0.040). CONCLUSION: Pre-treatment ADCarea mean, min may serve as an independent predictor of OS in patients with HCC undergoing iBT.

Acute epiploic appendagitis - a rare differential diagnosis of acute abdomen.

BACKGROUND: Acute epiploic appendagitis is a rare differential diagnosis of unclear or acute abdomen. AIM: To describe - by means of a scientific case report - the extraordinary diagnosis of acute epiploic appendagitis along with contained diverticulitis and incarcerated herniation of the greater omentum into the hernial sac of a former trocar site (medical history, significant for laparoscopic ovarian cyst removal) in a 29-year-old female based on experiences obtained in the successful clinical case management, and on selective references from medical scientific literature. CASE SUMMARY: Medical history: A 29-year-old female was admitted with abdominal pain in the lower left quadrant. She reported a laparoscopic ovarian cyst removal 3 years prior. Physical examination of the abdomen revealed tenderness in the lower left quadrant without a palpable mass.Leading diagnoses were found using transabdominal ultrasound and confirmed by an abdominal CT scan; namely, incarcerated trocar hernia, diverticulitis of sigmoid colon, and acute epiploic appendagitis. Therapeutic approach was comprised of an explorative laparoscopy (because of the incarcerated hernia), adhesiolysis, removal of a tip of the greater omentum out of the hernial sac, closure of the hernial orifice, and removal of an unclear, inflamed, and bloody fatty tissue from the wall of the descending colon (histopathological investigation confirmed acute epiploic appendagitis). This was flanked by conservative treatment of diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon.Further clinical course was uneventful, with discharge on the 3rd postoperative day with favorable long-term outcome, characterized by no further complaints for 15 months. DISCUSSION: Acute epiploic appendagitis is an inflammatory, usually self-limiting condition of the epiploic appendages of the colon. It typically manifests with abdominal pain in the lower left quadrant. Imaging is an important diagnostic tool to determine whether the patient has, in fact, acute epiploic appendagitis, so recognizing the characteristic oval lesions with the surrounding inflammation and central fat attenuation on CT, as well as the hyperechoic oval lesions with a hypoechoic peripheral band on ultrasound images is crucial. Nevertheless, it is often overlooked in patients and confused with other differential diagnoses, such as appendicitis or diverticulitis. Although the condition appears infrequently, it is essential to be proficient in the diagnostic evaluation, as a misdiagnosis may lead to unnecessary treatment and even surgical intervention. IN CONCLUSION: , the patient was initially diagnosed with an incarcerated abdominal hernia, and therefore subsequently underwent surgery. The inflamed epiploic appendage was discovered in laparoscopic exploration, removed, and confirmed through the histopathology report. This is an approach to be performed with great caution so as not to 1. : misinterpret an inflamed diverticula or covered perforation of it as well as not 2. : overlooking a peritoneal tumor lesion.

Development and psychometric analysis of the Diabetes Device Confidence Scale for school nurses.

BACKGROUND: School nurses need to be equipped to help students with diabetes devices. No existing tools assess school nurse self-efficacy in using devices. OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a novel scale to measure school nurse confidence with diabetes devices. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We generated a list of items with community partners and examined logical validity. We then revised and distributed the item set to school nurses in Pennsylvania to examine aspects of structural validity, convergent validity, and internal consistency reliability. We used item response theory to refine the scale. RESULTS: Facilitated discussion with collaborators generated an initial list of 50 potential items. Based upon the item-content validity index, we revised/eliminated 13 items. School nurses (n = 310) in Pennsylvania completed an updated 38-item scale; the majority had experience with insulin pumps or continuous glucose monitors. Exploratory factor analysis identified a one-factor solution, suggesting a unidimensional scale. We eliminated 13 additional items based upon significant inter-item correlation or skewed response patterns. Item response theory did not identify additional candidate items for removal. Despite a high degree of redundancy (Cronbach's alpha > 0.90), we retained all remaining items to maximize the future utility of the scale. CONCLUSION: The 25-item, unidimensional Diabetes Device Confidence Scale is a new tool to measure school nurse confidence with diabetes devices. This scale has future clinical, programmatic, and research applications. Combined with knowledge assessments, this scale can serve to evaluate school nurse device use readiness, assess training gaps, and tailor interventions.

Low skeletal muscle mass in cholangiocarcinoma treated by surgical resection. A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To date, the role of low skeletal muscle mass (LSMM) in cholangiocarcinoma (CC) is unclear. Our purpose was to analyze the influence of LSMM on survival in patients with CC treated by surgical resection. METHODS: MEDLINE, Cochrane, and SCOPUS databases were screened for associations between LSMM and survival in CC up to June 2021. Overall, 16 studies met the inclusion criteria. The methodological quality of the involved studies was analyzed using the QUADAS instrument. The meta-analysis was undertaken using RevMan 5.4 software. RESULTS: The prevalence of LSMM was 48.40%. LSMM was associated with lower overall survival (OS): HR = 2.44, 95%CI = (2.01-2.96) (simple regression); HR = 2.39, 95%CI = (1.83-3.13) (multiple regression). In extrahepatic CC, sarcopenic patients had lower OS, simple regression: HR = 2.11, 95%CI = (1.39-3.20); multiple regression: HR = 2.28, 95%CI = (1.41-3.70). In intrahepatic CC, LSMM predicted recurrence free survival: HR = 2.33, 95%CI = (1.93-2.81) (simple regression); HR = 2.23, 95%CI = (1.73-2.88) (multiple regression). LSMM predicted OS in intrahepatic CC, simple regression: HR = 2.69, 95%CI = (2.24-3.24); multiple regression: HR = 2.43, 95%CI = (1.73-3.41). CONCLUSION: LSMM is a risk factor for OS in patients with CC treated by surgical resection. LSMM is a predictor of RFS in patients with intrahepatic CC.

Cyber School Is a Marker of Youth with High-Risk Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the health characteristics of youth with diabetes in cyber school compared with peers with diabetes in traditional brick-and-mortar schools. STUDY DESIGN: This was a single-center cross-sectional study of youth with type 1 or type 2 diabetes in K-12 education during academic year 2017-2018. Youth enrolled in cyber school were matched with traditional school peers by age, sex, race, diagnosis, and diabetes duration. Comparisons included insurance status, hemoglobin A1c, treatment, coexisting conditions, screening, and healthcare use. RESULTS: Of 1694 participants, 5% (n = 87) were enrolled in cyber school. Youth enrolled in cyber school were predominantly white (89%), female (60%), adolescents (median 15.2 years) with type 1 diabetes (91%). Youth with type 2 diabetes were excluded from analyses owing to the small sample (n = 7). Public insurance was more common among youth enrolled in cyber school (P = .005). Youth in cyber school had higher mean hemoglobin A1c, 9.1 ± 1.8% (76 ± 20 mmol/mol) vs 8.3 ± 1.2% (67 ± 13 mmol/mol) (P = .003), lower insulin pump use (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.18-0.73), and more mental health conditions (OR, 4.48; 95% CI, 1.94-10.35) compared with peers in traditional schools. Youth in cyber school were less likely to have recommended vision (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.15-0.75) and dental (OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.15-0.75) evaluations. The relationship between hemoglobin A1c and cyber school persisted after adjusting for insurance status, pump use, and mental health conditions (P = .02). Similar trends were observed for participants with type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Youth with diabetes in cyber school may be a high-risk population. Understanding the potential impact of cyber school-related factors on health may encourage additional provider/system/school supports for these patients.

Evaluating the Impact of Stakeholder Engagement in a School-Based Type 1 Diabetes Study.

OBJECTIVE: Although the importance of stakeholder engagement (SE) for patient-centered research is recognized, few studies document SE processes and influence on research outcomes in the diabetes field. We applied a research-informed framework to evaluate the impact of SE on a pediatric diabetes study exploring school nurse perspectives on modern diabetes devices. METHODS: We recruited parents of children with type 1 diabetes, school nurses, and diabetes providers. Stakeholders convened virtually every 2 months for 12 months. Goals for SE included input on research materials, interpretation of findings, and future research directions. Processes were assessed using a validated survey. Immediate outcomes included changes to research materials and satisfaction. Secondary outcomes included research efficiency and value (acceptance by community partners). RESULTS: Each role was represented at every meeting. The majority of stakeholders (>70%) completed the survey at study midpoint and end points. All surveyed indicated that they had received all desired information, shared feedback, and felt valued. Stakeholders were satisfied with the meeting frequency. Participants appreciated learning from each other and expressed enthusiasm for continued research participation. They described their role as one of consultant rather than research team members. SE resulted in five additional interview questions. Nearly 70 comments added to the interpretation of qualitative themes. Findings were published within 12 months and recognized by the state school nursing organization. CONCLUSION: SE was well received and led to meaningful changes in content and dissemination of a diabetes study. A systematic approach to evaluating SE can increase scientific rigor and reproducibility and contribute to best practices for SE in diabetes research.

[Curricular teaching during the COVID-19-pandemic : Evaluation of an online-based teaching concept]. / Curriculare Lehre während der COVID-19-Pandemie : Evaluation eines onlinebasierten Lehrkonzepts.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has created multiple challenges for health care, social and economic systems worldwide, but also for school and university teaching. Most learning has been shifted to online classes. So far, it is unclear whether these changes are well received within the student body. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was the evaluation of a newly developed online-based teaching concept for medical students studying radiology during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The concept consisted of 12 online seminars of the 11-week course "Imaging Procedures", which were combined with 31 prerecorded video presentations. Five weeks after the start of the summer term, we conducted an anonymous online survey, which consisted of 12 questions and a box for additional comments. Furthermore, we analysed the number of requests of the presentations, the duration and the average viewing time. RESULTS: In all, 110 of 213 students (51.6%) completed the survey; 72.7% stated that the new teaching concept drew their interest for radiology, 78.2% agreed that it incited self-study as well as would facilitate time- and place-independent learning (95.5%). The majority indicated that the time investment for the video presentations was appropriate, but shorter video sections would simplify the learning process (70.9%) and the ideal timeframe would be 10-20 min. The majority (80.9%) agreed that the concept should be maintained in upcoming semesters. CONCLUSIONS: This newly developed online-based teaching concept enjoys high acceptance rates among students. It offers advantages such as time- and location-independent learning, possibilities for self-study and should be maintained in upcoming semesters after the end of social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Modern diabetes devices in the school setting: Perspectives from school nurses.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences, practices, and attitudes of school nurses related to modern diabetes devices (insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors, and hybrid-closed loop systems). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 40 public school nurses caring for children in elementary and middle schools. Developed with stakeholder input, the interview questions explored experiences working with devices and communicating with the health care system. Deidentified transcripts were analyzed through an iterative process of coding to identify major themes. RESULTS: School nurses reported a range of educational backgrounds (58% undergraduate, 42% graduate), geographic settings (20% urban, 55% suburban, 25% rural), and years of experience (20% <5 years, 38%, 5-15 years, 42% >15 years). Four major themes emerged: (a) As devices become more common, school nurses must quickly develop new knowledge and skills yet have inconsistent training opportunities; (b) Enthusiasm for devices is tempered by concerns about implementation due to poor planning prior to the school year and potential disruptions by remote monitors; (c) Barriers exist to integrating devices into schools, including school/classroom policies, liability/privacy concerns, and variable staff engagement; and (d) Collaboration between school nurses and providers is limited; better communication may benefit children with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Devices are increasingly used by school-aged children. School nurses appreciate device potential but share structural and individual-level challenges. Guiding policy is needed as the technology progressively becomes standard of care. Enhanced training and collaboration with diabetes providers may help to optimize school-based management for children in the modern era.

Digital ulcers score: a scoring system to assess digital ulcers in patients suffering from systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a standardized scoring system to assess the severity of DUs in SSc patients and correlate it with functional outcomes. METHODS: In this cross-sectional, longitudinal study in SSc patients with DUs (n=65) we developed a digital ulcers score (DUS) for the assessment of DUs. DUS and the ABILHAND score were measured at each visit and differences were analysed using Tamhane's T2 test. Spearman's Rho test was applied for correlational analysis of DUS and functional outcomes. We calculated a linear regression model using clustered standard errors for correlation analysis between DUS and ABILHAND over time. RESULTS: 117 assessments of DUS were performed in 65 SSc patients. Mean DUS was 11.6±1.9 (range: 0-68). Subgroup analyses showed a higher DUS in patients suffering from diffuse cutaneous SSc when compared to patients with limited cutaneous SSc (12.8±3.0 vs. 9.7±2.2 p=0.18). There was no correlation between the DUS and manual ability using the ABILHAND score (overall: n=106 r=-0.138, p=0.22). We observed a small but significant linear correlation between the DUS and the ABILHAND score for a single patient over time (n=14, R2=0.31, r=0.06, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The DUS is a feasible scoring instrument to assess severity of DUs in SSc patients. In accordance with the literature the severity of DUs correlates with clinical parameters but also severity of the disease. Further study is needed to establish the DUS as a standardized tool for the assessment of DUs.

Very elevated serum copeptin concentrations occur in a subset of healthy children in the minutes after phlebotomy.

OBJECTIVES: Although AVP and its surrogate, copeptin, are mainly regulated by osmotic and volume stimuli, their secretion is also elicited by stress and growth hormone (GH) stimulating agents. The aim of this report is to describe unusual patterns of copeptin response in a subset of children undergoing GH stimulation tests (GH-ST). METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of a cohort of 93 healthy short children with no polydipsia, polyuria or fluid/electrolyte abnormalities, undergoing GH-ST with intravenous arginine, insulin, oral clonidine, or L-Dopa/carbidopa in various combinations. Serum copeptin concentrations were measured 1-3 min after phlebotomy (0 min) and at 60, 90, 120 min during GH-ST. RESULTS: In 85 subjects (normal response group, NRG) serum copeptin concentrations increased from a 0 min median of 9 pmol/L (IQR 6, 11.5) (all values ≤21) to a median peak between 60 and 120 min of 22 (IQR15, 38) pmol/L, which varied depending on the stimulating agent. Conversely, in the eight outliers, copeptin concentrations decreased gradually from a median of 154 (IQR 61, 439) pmol/L (all ≥40 pmol/L) to values as low as 14 % of the basal value, by 120 min. Test-associated anxiety was described in 17 subjects in the NRG (20 %) and five of the outliers (63 %). CONCLUSIONS: A distinctive pattern of very elevated serum copeptin concentrations occurred in 9 % of children undergoing GH-ST, similar to reports in previous pediatric studies. Etiology may include pain or stress of phlebotomy. This phenomenon should be recognized for proper interpretation of copeptin values in children.

Stakeholder Engagement in Type 1 Diabetes Research, Quality Improvement, and Clinical Care.

The integration of stakeholder engagement (SE) in research, quality improvement (QI), and clinical care has gained significant traction. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic disease that requires complex daily management and care from a multidisciplinary team across the lifespan. Inclusion of key stakeholder voices, including patients, caregivers, health care providers and community advocates, in the research process and implementation of clinical care is critical to ensure representation of perspectives that match the values and goals of the patient population. This review describes the current framework for SE and its application to research, QI, and clinical care across the lifespan.

Robotic Complete ALPPS (rALPPS)-First German Experiences.

BACKGROUND: ALPPS leads to fast and effective liver hypertrophy. This enables the resection of extended tumors. Conventional ALPPS is associated with high morbidity and mortality. MILS reduces morbidity and the robot adds technical features that make complex procedures safe. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The MD-MILS was screened for patients who underwent rALPPS. Demographic and perioperative data were evaluated retrospectively. Ninety days postoperative morbidity was scored according to the CD classification. The findings were compared with the literature. RESULTS: Since November 2021, five patients have been identified. The mean age and BMI of the patients were 50.0 years and 22.7 kg/m2. In four cases, patients suffered from colorectal liver metastases and, in one case, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Prior to the first operation, the mean liver volume of the residual left liver was 380.9 mL with a FLR-BWR of 0.677%. Prior to the second operation, the mean volume of the residual liver was 529.8 mL with a FLR-BWR of 0.947%. This was an increase of 41.9% of the residual liver volume. The first and second operations were carried out within 17.8 days. The mean time of the first and second operations was 341.2 min and 440.6 min. The mean hospital stay was 27.2 days. Histopathology showed the largest tumor size of 39 mm in diameter with a mean amount of 4.7 tumors. The mean tumor-free margin was 12.3 mm. One complication CD > 3a occurred. No patient died during the 90-day follow up. CONCLUSION: In the first German series, we demonstrated that rALPPS can be carried out safely with reduced morbidity and mortality in selected patients.

Copeptin Stimulation by Combined Intravenous Arginine and Oral LevoDopa/Carbidopa in Healthy Short Children and Children with the Polyuria-Polydipsia Syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Stimulated copeptin may provide an alternative to water deprivation testing (WDT) in the evaluation of polyuria-polydipsia syndrome (PPS). Though best studied, arginine stimulation alone produces a modest copeptin response in children. We investigated the effectiveness of the arginine + LevoDopa/Carbidopa stimulation test (ALD-ST) for copeptin. METHODS: 47 healthy short children (controls), 10 children with primary polydipsia, and 10 children with AVP deficiency received arginine hydrochloride (500 mg/kg intravenously over 30 min) and Levodopa/carbidopa (10:1 ratio; 175 mg of l-Dopa/m2 BSA) orally. Serum copeptin was measured at 0, 60, 90, and 120 min. RESULTS: In controls, ALD-ST increased copeptin from a median of 7.0 pmol/L (IQR 5.0-10.0) to a peak of 44.0 pmol/L (IQR 21.4-181.0) between 60 and 120 min (p < 0.001). Copeptin peak was higher in subjects who experienced nausea or vomiting (57%) than in those who did not (131.0 pmol/L [IQR 42.5-193.8] vs. 22.7 pmol/L [IQR 16.0-33.7], p < 0.001). While subjects with primary polydipsia had similar baseline (8.5 pmol/L [IQR 8.0-11.0]) and stimulated (125.2 pmol/L [IQR 87.6-174.0]) copeptin levels as controls, subjects with AVP deficiency had lower baseline (2.5 pmol/L [IQR 2.0-3.1]) and peak levels (4.6 pmol/L [IQR 2.4-6.0]). A peak copeptin of ≥9.3 pmol/L best predicted absence of complete or partial AVP deficiency with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 80%. CONCLUSIONS: ALD-ST induced a robust peak copeptin in healthy short children and children with primary polydipsia. Nausea/vomiting, a side effect of ALD-ST, amplified the copeptin response. The ALD-ST may be a suitable initial screening test in children with PPS.

Access to Specialty Care for Commercially Insured Youths With Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.

Importance: Youths with type 2 diabetes are at higher risk for complications compared with peers with type 1 diabetes, though few studies have evaluated differences in access to specialty care. Objective: To compare claims with diabetes specialists for youths with type 1 vs type 2 diabetes and the association between specialist claims with multidisciplinary and acute care utilization. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study used Optum Clinformatics Data Mart commercial claims. Individuals included in the study were youths younger than 19 years with type 1 or 2 diabetes as determined by a validated algorithm and prescription claims. Data were collected for youths with at least 80% enrollment in a commercial health plan from December 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019. Statistical analysis was performed from September 2022 to January 2024. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the number of ambulatory claims from an endocrine and/or diabetes physician or advanced practice clinician associated with a diabetes diagnosis code; secondary outcomes included multidisciplinary and acute care claims. Results: Claims were analyzed for 4772 youths (mean [SD] age, 13.6 [3.7] years; 4300 [90.1%] type 1 diabetes; 472 [9.9%] type 2 diabetes; 2465 [51.7%] male; 128 [2.7%] Asian, 303 [6.4] Black or African American, 429 [9.0%] Hispanic or Latino, 3366 [70.5%] non-Hispanic White, and 546 [11.4%] unknown race and ethnicity). Specialist claims were lower in type 2 compared with type 1 diabetes (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 0.61 [95% CI, 0.52-0.72]; P < .001) in propensity score-weighted analyses. The presence of a comorbidity was associated with increased specialist claims for type 1 diabetes (IRR, 1.07 [95% CI, 1.03-1.10]) and decreased claims for type 2 diabetes (IRR, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.67-0.87]). Pooling diagnosis groups and adjusted for covariates, each additional specialist claim was associated with increased odds of a claim with a diabetes care and education specialist (odds ratio [OR], 1.31 [95% CI, 1.25-1.36]), dietitian (OR, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.09-1.19]), and behavioral health clinician (OR, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.12-1.20]). For acute care claims, each additional specialist claim was associated with increased odds of admission (OR, 1.17 [95% CI, 1.11-1.24]) but not for emergency claims (OR, 1.03 [95% CI, 0.98-1.82]). Conclusions and Relevance: This cross-sectional study found that youths with type 2 diabetes were significantly less likely to have specialist claims despite insurance coverage, indicating other barriers to care, which may include medical complexity. Access to diabetes specialists influences engagement with multidisciplinary services. The association between increasing ambulatory clinician services and admissions suggests high utilization by a subgroup of patients at greater risk for poor outcomes.

Evaluation of brain metastasis edema in breast cancer patients as a marker for Ki-67 and cell count-A single center analysis.

BACKGROUND: Peritumoral edema is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM). The relationship between vasogenic edema and proliferation indices or cell density in BCBM remains poorly understood. PURPOSE: To assess the association between tumor volume and peritumoral edema volume and histopathological and immunohistochemical parameters in BCBM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with confirmed BCBM were retrospectively identified. The tumor volume and peritumoral edema volume of each brain metastasis (BM) were semi-automatically calculated in axial T2w and axial T2-fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences using the software MIM (Cleveland, Ohio, USA). Edema volume was correlated with histological parameters, including cell count and Ki-67. Sub-analyses were conducted for luminal B, Her2-positive, and tripe negative subgroups. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were included in the study. There were 24 patients with a single BM. Mean metastasis volume was 31.40 ± 32.52 mL and mean perifocal edema volume was 72.75 ± 58.85 mL. In the overall cohort, no correlation was found between tumor volume and Ki-67 (r = 0.046, p = .782) or cellularity (r = 0.028, p = .877). Correlation between edema volume and Ki-67 was r = 0.002 (p = .989), correlation with cellularity was r = 0.137 (p = .453). No relevant correlation was identified in any subgroup analysis. There was no relevant correlation between BM volume and edema volume. CONCLUSION: In patients with breast cancer brain metastases, we did not find linear associations between edema volumes and immunohistochemical features reflecting proliferation potential. Furthermore, there was no relevant correlation between metastasis volume and edema volume.