Insights from home parenteral nutrition infusion data.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with chronic intestinal failure use home parenteral nutrition infusion support. Non-compliance of home parenteral nutrition treatment is well documented, especially if clinical resources are remote. Objective delivery data from Infusion Pump reports have the potential to support treatment progress and planning. The aim of this study was to report the efficacy and accuracy of the Eitan Insights digital health platform for home parenteral nutrition use (a platform providing data-driven insights from the pump-recorded data). METHODS: A prospective, single-center observational study of 20 patients treated with home parenteral nutrition ≥3 d/wk was conducted over 2022. The patients recorded the pre- and postinfusion home parenteral nutrition bag weight, duration of infusion, and alarms. We compared manual records to the pump data. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 45 data sets were collected, with no adverse events noted. In multiple comparisons between patient factors and descriptive statistics, there was no significant difference between manually recorded and pump-recorded data for volume infused (mean values of manual versus pump were 1707 ± 362 mL and 1708 ± 405 mL; P = 0.939) and infusion duration (mean values of manual versus pump iwere 9h 43 min ± 2.48 SD versus 9h 45 min ± 2.41 SD; P = 0.858). CONCLUSION: The data collected by the digital platform accurately reflect patients' infusion data. This connected device has the potential to allow clinicians to be more informed and assess treatment trends and proactive resource planning through the Infusion Pump data insights.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Teduglutide Treatment in Patients with Short Bowel Syndrome in Slovakia-Multicenter Real-World Study.

(1) Background: We present the first real-world-data study on teduglutide-treated SBS patients in the Slovak Republic and the first study to enable the comparison of the effects of teduglutide treatment between the adult and pediatric populations. (2) Methods: This was a non-interventional retrospective cohort study of adult and pediatric SBS patients treated with teduglutide. Primary and secondary endpoints were the results of teduglutide use at 12 weeks and 6 months after the initiation of treatment, compared to baseline. (3) Results: Teduglutide treatment led to a statistically significant reduction in the volume of intravenous hydration, HPN caloric intake, HPN and intravenous hydration applications per week and to increased urine output in adult patients. The results in the pediatric population were similar, but not statistically significant. A complete weaning off HPN was achieved in 57.14% of all patients (50.00% of children; 62.50% of adults) after a median of 0.99 years of teduglutide treatment (1.07 and 0.98 years for children and adults, respectively). (4) Conclusions: Teduglutide treatment in SBS patients leads to considerable reduction in or even weaning off PN in both pediatric and adult patients.

National and Regional Trends in the Prevalence of Hypertension in South Korea Amid the Pandemic, 2009-2022: Nationwide Study of Over 3 Million Individuals.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the association between hypertension prevalence and socioeconomic and behavioral variables during a pandemic is essential, and this analysis should extend beyond short-term trends. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine long-term trends in the prevalence of participants diagnosed with and receiving treatment for hypertension, using data collected by a nationally representative survey from 2009 to 2022, which includes the COVID-19 pandemic era. METHODS: A nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional study used data collected from the South Korea Community Health Survey between 2009 and 2022. The study sample comprised 3,208,710 Korean adults over a period of 14 years. We aimed to assess trends in the prevalence of participants diagnosed with and receiving treatment for hypertension in the national population from 2009 to 2022, with a specific focus on the COVID-19 pandemic, using weighted linear regression models. RESULTS: Among the included 3,072,546 Korean adults, 794,239 (25.85%) were aged 19-39 years, 1,179,388 (38.38%) were aged 40-59 years; 948,097 (30.86%) were aged 60-79 years, and 150,822 (4.91%) were aged 80 years or older. A total of 1,426,379 (46.42%) were men; 761,896 (24.80%) and 712,264 (23.18%) were diagnosed with and received treatment for hypertension, respectively. Although the overall prevalence over the 14-year period increased, the upward trends of patients diagnosed with and receiving treatment for hypertension decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic era compared with the prepandemic era (ß difference for trend during vs before the pandemic -.101, 95% CI -0.107 to -0.094 vs -.133, 95% CI -0.140 to -0.127). Notably, the trends in prevalence during the pandemic were less pronounced in subgroups of older adults (≥60 years old) and individuals with higher alcohol consumption (≥5 days/month). CONCLUSIONS: This nationwide representative study found that the national prevalence of participants diagnosed with and receiving treatment for hypertension increased during the prepandemic era. However, there was a marked decrease in these trends during the prepandemic era, compared with the pandemic era, particularly among specific subgroups at increased risk of negative outcomes. Future studies are needed to evaluate the factors associated with changes in the prevalence of hypertension during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Diagnóstico por citometría de flujo de la hemoglobinuria paroxística nocturna / Diagnosis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria by flow cytometry

Introducción: La hemoglobinuria paroxística (HPN) nocturna es una enfermedad clonal, adquirida y no maligna de la célula madre hematopoyética. En este padecimiento se encuentra afectado el anclaje a la membrana celular de moléculas como el CD55 y CD59, fundamentales en la regulación de la lisis mediada por el complemento. Por su elevada especificidad y sensibilidad, la citometría de flujo multiparamétrica (CFM) es el método de elección para el diagnóstico de esta enfermedad. Objetivo: Establecer un algoritmo diagnóstico de la HPN por CMF. Métodos: Se analizó una muestra de sangre periférica para CFM de un paciente con sospecha de HPN. El inmunofenotipaje celular se realizó con un panel de anticuerpos monoclonales dirigidos contra los antígenos que se expresan en la membrana citoplasmática mediante su anclaje al glicosilfosfatidilinositol. Las muestras se leyeron en un citómetro GALLIOS, Beckman Coulter y los datos obtenidos se analizaron con el empleo del programa informático Kaluza. Resultados: Se identificaron cuatro clones HPN. En los granulocitos se observó un clon HPN de aproximadamente 90 por ciento, con deficiencia en la expresión de CD16, CD24, CD55 y CD59. En los monocitos se observaron dos clones: (1) clon CD14_CD59_ y (2) clon CD14_CD59+ con tamaños clonales de 59,77 por ciento y 19,45 por ciento, respectivamente. En los eritrocitos se identificó un clon de 19,98 por ciento y de determinó el grado de afectación. Conclusiones: El algoritmo de análisis propuesto permite identificar las poblaciones celulares con clones HPN. Además, dichos clones pueden ser cuantificados en cuanto a tamaño clonal y expresividad de los antígenos dependientes de anclaje a glicosilfosfatidilinositol. Con la CFM se logra determinar con elevada sensibilidad el grado de afectación de los eritrocitos en la expresión de CD59 como medida directa de la susceptibilidad que experimentan a la lisis por el complemento(AU)

Introduction: The paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a clonal, acquired disease and not malignant hematopoietic stem cell. In this condition, the anchor to the cell membrane of molecules such as the CD55 and CD59 is affected, This antigens are fundamental in the regulation of the complement-mediated lysis. By its high specificity and sensitivity multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC) is the goal standard for the diagnosis of this disease. Objective: To establish a diagnosis of PNH by MFC algorithm. Methods: A sample of peripheral blood of a patient with suspicion of PNH was analyzed by MFC. The cell immunophenotyping was carried out using a panel of monoclonal antibodies directed against antigens that are expressed in the cytoplasmic membrane through its the glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor. The samples were read in a Cytometer GALLIOS, Beckman Coulter and the data obtained were analyzed with the use of the Kaluza software. Results: We identified four clones HPN. A HPN clone of approximately 90 percent, was observed in granulocytes with deficiency in the expression of CD16, CD24, CD55, CD59. In the monocytes were two clones: (1) CD14-CD59- clone and (2) CD14-CD59 + clone, with size clone of 59.77 percent and 19.45 percent, respectively. A clone of 19.98 percent was identified in erythrocytes and determined the degree of involvement of the same. Conclusions: The proposed analysis algorithm allows to identify cellular populations with clones PNH. In addition, these clones can be quantified in terms of size clonal and expressiveness of anchor to glycosylphosphatidylinositol antigen dependent. With the MFC is achieved with high sensitivity to determine the degree of involvement of the erythrocytes in the expression of CD59 as a direct measure of susceptibility undergoing lysis by complement(AU)

Estudio ultraestructural de las plaquetas de pacientes con hemoglobinuria paroxística nocturna / Ultrastructural study of platelets patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria

Introduction. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a hemolytic anemia characterized by intravascular hemolysis, cytopenias and venous thrombosis. Previous studies in patients with PNH have shown platelet abnormalities; however, their association with the clinical development of the sickness has not still been determined. Material and methods. In this study, we compared the morphology and distribution pattern of actin, myosin, tubulin and p-selectin in resting and activated platelets from 22 PNH patients and healthy donors by transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence. Results. The PNH platelet ultrastructure of resting and activated with different agonists (ADP, collagen and thrombin) showed morphological changes which suggested the presence of circulating platelets. The developed structures during the adhesion process (filopodia and lamellipodia formation), as well as the pattern distribution of actin, myosin, tubulin and p-selectin in PNH platelets were not modified in relation to control platelets. Conclusion. Morphological changes in resting platelets were related with p-selectin expression suggesting its determination as thrombosis indicator.

Introducción. La hemoglobinuria paroxística nocturna (HPN) es una anemia hemolítica caracterizada por hemolisis intravascular, citopenias y trombosis venosa. Estudios previos en pacientes con HPN han revelado anormalidades plaquetarias; sin embargo, no se ha determinado su asociación con el desarrollo clínico de la enfermedad. Material y métodos. En el presente estudio se comparó la morfología y el patrón de distribución de actina, miosina, tubulina y P-selectina en plaquetas en reposo y activadas provenientes de 22 pacientes con HPN y de individuos sanos por microscopía electrónica de transmisión e inmunoñuorescencia. Resultados. La ultraestructura de las plaquetas de individuos con HPN en reposo y activadas en suspensión con diferentes agonistas (ADP, colágena y trombina) mostró cambios morfológicos que sugirieron la presencia de plaquetas activadas circulantes. Las estructuras desarrolladas durante el proceso de adhesión (formación de filopodios, lamelipodios), así como el patrón de distribución de actina, miosina, tubulina y P-selectina, no se modificaron en las plaquetas de los pacientes con HPN en relación con el testigo. Conclusión. Los cambios morfológicos en plaquetas en reposo fueron relacionados con la expresión de P-selectina, por lo que se sugiere su determinación como un parámetro indicativo de un posible riesgo trombótico.