Exercise hyperthermia induces greater changes in gastrointestinal permeability than equivalent passive hyperthermia.

Hyperthermia and exertional heat illness increase gastrointestinal (GI) permeability, although whether the latter is only via hyperthermia is unclear. The aim of this pilot study was to determine whether different changes in GI permeability, characterized by an increased plasma lactulose:rhamnose concentration ratio ([L:R]), occurred in exercise hyperthermia in comparison to equivalent passive hyperthermia. Six healthy adult male participants (age 25 ± 5 years, mass 77.0 ± 6.7 kg, height 181 ± 6 cm, peak oxygen uptake [ V·O2peak ] 48 ± 8 ml.kg-1 .min-1 ) underwent exercise under hot conditions (Ex-Heat) and passive heating during hot water immersion (HWI). Heart rate (HR), rectal temperature (TCORE ), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and whole-body sweat loss (WBSL) were recorded throughout the trials. The L:R ratio, peak HR, change in HR, and change in RPE were higher in Ex-Heat than HWI, despite no differences in trial duration, peak core temperature or WBSL. L:R was strongly correlated (p < 0.05) with HR peak (r = 0.626) and change in HR (r = 0.615) but no other variable. The greater L:R in Ex-Heat, despite equal TCORE responses to HWI, indicates that increased cardiovascular strain occurred during exercise, and exacerbates hyperthermia-induced GI permeability at the same absolute temperature.

Cataract risk stratification and prioritisation protocol in the COVID-19 era.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic halted non-emergency surgery across Scotland. Measures to mitigate the risks of transmitting COVID-19 are creating significant challenges to restarting all surgical services safely. We describe the development of a risk stratification tool to prioritise patients for cataract surgery taking account both specific risk factors for poor outcome from COVID-19 infection as well as surgical 'need'. In addition we report the demographics and comorbidities of patients on our waiting list. METHODS: A prospective case review of electronic records was performed. A risk stratification tool was developed based on review of available literature on systemic risk factors for poor outcome from COVID-19 infection as well as a surgical 'need' score. Scores derived from the tool were used to generate 6 risk profile groups to allow prioritised allocation of surgery. RESULTS: There were 744 patients awaiting cataract surgery of which 66 (8.9 %) patients were 'shielding'. One hundred and thirty-two (19.5 %) patients had no systemic comorbidities, 218 (32.1 %) patients had 1 relevant systemic comorbidity and 316 (46.5 %) patients had 2 or more comorbidities. Five hundred and ninety patients (88.7 %) did not have significant ocular comorbidities. Using the risk stratification tool, 171 (23 %) patients were allocated in the highest 3 priority stages. Given an aging cohort with associated increase in number of systemic comorbidities, the majority of patients were in the lower priority stages 4 to 6. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 has created an urgent challenge to deal safely with cataract surgery waiting lists. This has driven the need for a prompt and pragmatic change to the way we assess risks and benefits of a previously regarded as low-risk intervention. This is further complicated by the majority of patients awaiting cataract surgery being elderly with comorbidities and at higher risk of mortality related to COVID-19. We present a pragmatic method of risk stratifying patients on waiting lists, blending an evidence-based objective assessment of risk and patient need combined with an element of shared decision-making. This has facilitated safe and successful restarting of our cataract service.

Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU) syndrome and recent Streptococcus infection in a 9-year-old girl.

A 9-year-old girl presented to hospital with a 6-week history of non-specific constitutional symptoms and weight loss. She initially underwent extensive medical investigation without diagnosis being achieved. Although raised inflammatory markers and impaired renal function were noted during her initial admission to hospital, it was her subsequent presentation 2 weeks later with sudden-onset bilateral anterior uveitis that prompted a renal biopsy that indicated acute tubulointerstitial nephritis. A diagnosis of tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU) syndrome was made and systemic glucocorticoid treatment initiated to prevent visual loss and preserve renal function. She has subsequently been reviewed in multidisciplinary outpatient clinics and treated with a tapering regimen of immunosuppressive therapy. Her treatment has been complicated by the side effects of glucocorticoids and by persistent relapses in ocular disease and abnormalities on urinalysis. Recent clinical investigations indicate that her uveitis is controlled and that renal function remains well preserved.

Keep an eye out: A rare case of acute-onset Charles Bonnet Syndrome after Stanford type A aortic dissection repair surgery.

Charles Bonnet Syndrome describes the triad of complex visual hallucinations secondary to ophthalmic pathology in psychologically normal people. We present a rare case of acute-onset Charles Bonnet Syndrome following cardiac surgery that resulted in profound loss of visual acuity in both eyes with characteristic visual hallucinations that were initially mistaken for delirium. Computed tomography of the brain revealed bilateral occipital infarcts, providing the substrate for Charles Bonnet Syndrome. A high index of suspicion should be maintained in cognitively intact patients with visual loss who are also experiencing visual hallucinations to ensure prompt diagnosis and management of this often overlooked condition.