One year of COVID-19: A longitudinal study of individual and relational factors of psychological adjustment of individuals living in a romantic relationship in Portugal during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This longitudinal study explored the impact of COVID-19 on individuals in romantic relationships. The sample spans three waves: first confinement (n = 52), deconfinement (n = 49), and second confinement (n = 26). The study tested sociodemographic factors, psychological adjustment (anxiety, depression, stress, well-being), COVID-19 threat perception, dyadic coping, and relationship quality. Results from repeated measures ANOVA and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) models revealed a decline in anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms, coupled with improved relationship quality over time. Well-being and dyadic coping remained stable, while COVID-19 threat perception increased. QCA models emphasized the predictive power of initial mental states (anxiety, depression, stress, and well-being at W1) on subsequent adjustment. Notably, shorter relationship duration, healthcare worker status, and not having children, when combined with prior mental states, explained increased symptoms and diminished well-being. The study underscores the significance of addressing these factors in individuals navigating romantic relationships during the pandemic.

Akkermansia muciniphila and Parabacteroides distasonis as prognostic markers for relapse in ulcerative colitis patients.

Introduction: Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disorder characterized by chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, mainly in the colon and rectum. Although the precise etiology of ulcerative colitis remains unclear, recent research has underscored the significant role of the microbiome in its development and progression. Methods: The aim of this study was to establish a relationship between the levels of specific gut bacterial species and disease relapse in ulcerative colitis. For this study, we recruited 105 ulcerative colitis patients in remission and collected clinical data, blood, and stool samples. Akkermansia muciniphila and Parabacteroides distasonis levels were quantified in the stool samples of ulcerative colitis patients. Binary logistic regression was applied to collected data to predict disease remission. Results: The median time in remission in this cohort was four years. A predictive model incorporating demographic information, clinical data, and the levels of Akkermansia muciniphila and Parabacteroides distasonis was developed to understand remission patterns. Discussion: Our findings revealed a negative correlation between the levels of these two microorganisms and the duration of remission. These findings highlight the importance of the gut microbiota in ulcerative colitis for disease prognosis and for personalized treatments based on microbiome interventions.

Maternal Hypertriglyceridemia in Gestational Diabetes: A New Risk Factor?

Elevated maternal triglycerides (TGs) have been associated with excessive fetal growth. However, the role of maternal lipid profile is less studied in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We aimed to study the association between maternal lipid profile in the third trimester and the risk for large-for-gestational-age (LGA) newborns in women with GDM. We performed an observational and retrospective study of pregnant women with GDM who underwent a lipid profile measurement during the third trimester. We applied a logistic regression model to assess predictors of LGA. A total of 100 singleton pregnant women with GDM and third-trimester lipid profile evaluation were included. In the multivariate analysis, pre-pregnancy BMI (OR 1.19 (95% CI 1.03-1.38), p = 0.022) and hypertriglyceridemia (OR 7.60 (1.70-34.10), p = 0.008) were independently associated with LGA. Third-trimester hypertriglyceridemia was found to be a predictor of LGA among women with GDM, independently of glycemic control, BMI, and pregnancy weight gain. Further investigation is needed to confirm the role of TGs in excessive fetal growth in GDM pregnancies.

Single-operator cholangioscopy unveiling a pinehole post-cholecystectomy biliary strictures.

77-year-old female with history of cholecystectomy was admitted at emergency department with fever and myalgia, without other complaints. Physical examination revealed fever, and laboratory tests indicated cholestasis (total bilirubin: 1.5xULN, glutamyltransferase: 20xULN, alkaline phosphatase: 5xULN). Computed Tomography revealed common bile duct (CBD) dilation (9mm), with suspected choledocholithiasis. Given the diagnosis of acute cholangitis, antibiotics were started and ERCP was performed. ERCP revealed a short CBD stenosis (< 2mm length), close to surgical clip, with upstream dilation of the CBD; an 8mm stone in the distal CBD was observed and successfully removed. As guidewire advancement failed after multiple attempts, a SpyGlass DS cholangioscopy was performed showing a fibrotic pinehole stenosis. Guidewire was passed through the stenosis under direct visualization, and an 80-mmx10mm fully covered metal stent deployed.

Duodenal lipoma - An unusual finding, location and presentation.

An 82-year-old man was admitted for acute cholangitis. He presented with jaundice and elevated hepatic cholestasis enzymes and C-reactive protein. Abdominal ultrasound and CT scan showed no evidence of gallstones and the main bile duct had 6 mm of diameter. Broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy was initiated and the patient was referred for Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography. During duodenoscopy, a pedunculated subepithelial lesion, measuring approximately 20-30 mm, and suggestive of being a lipoma was found, obstructing the papillary orifice and preventing its access. It was then removed using a diathermic snare. Subsequent cholangiography confirmed the absence of gallstones or any other cause of biliary obstruction. Histopathological analysis confirmed that the lesion was a duodenal lipoma. The patient evolved favorably and had no subsequent episodes of jaundice or cholangitis during follow-up.

Paraneoplasic Behçet's Syndrome associated with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

A 49-year-old man presented with a three-week history of abdominal pain, bloody diarrhoea and fever. Reported oral ulcers, weight loss and asthenia, as well as papulo-pustular lesions on his limbs and a recurrent ulcer in the lip (Fig.1) in the previous year. During hospitalization, he developed pathergy at venipuncture sites and painful scrotum ulcers. Laboratory showed pancytopenia and elevated CRP. Viral and autoimmune tests were negative. Abdominal CT revealed thickening of the ileocecal region with adenopathies. Blood smear and myelogram were compatible with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). Bone marrow culture and BK were negative. Karyotype revealed no changes, namely, no trisomy of the 8th. Ileocolonoscopy revealed aphthoid erosions of the ileocecal mucosa and ovoid punched-out cecal ulcers. Biopsies showed intense chronic inflammation in the lamina propria and submucosa with erosions and ulcers. Thus, presenting 5 points in the International Criteria for Behçet's Disease, this diagnosis was assumed as a paraneoplastic manifestation of CML. Corticosteroids improved symptoms, but the patient died three weeks later due to a blastic crisis. BS has been reported in association with CML, some concurrent with, or following treatment with interferon-a or hydroxyurea. Although the pathogenesis remains unclear, there is increasing awareness of its link to hematological malignancies, and trisomy of the 8th.

EUS-Guided Choledochoduodenostomy after Failed Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Distal Malignant Biliary Obstruction.

Introduction: Malignant biliary obstruction drainage is essential, since jaundice is associated with morbidity and mortality. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the recommended procedure for biliary drainage, with percutaneous biliary drainage being the classic alternative in cases of unsuccessful ERCP. Recently, endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage has been emerged as a new option, with EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy (EUS-CDS) being considered an effective and safe method in the drainage of distal obstructions of the common bile duct. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EUS-CDS performed in patients with distal malignant biliary obstructions, after failed ERCP. Methods: Single-center retrospective cohort study between July 2017 and June 2022 including all consecutive patients submitted to EUS-CDS in our center. The primary outcomes were "technical success" and "clinical success," defined as "resolution of jaundice or improvement in total serum bilirubin level above 50% at 7th day and above 75% at 30th day after the procedure." Secondary outcomes were procedure-related adverse events, endoscopic reintervention, and survival time. Results: EUS-CDS was performed in 20 patients (65.0% male; median age 76 years). The most frequent etiology for the biliary obstruction was pancreatic adenocarcinoma (n = 17; 85.0%), and most patients presented at advanced stages of cancer (12/60% in stages III or IV). ERCP failure was mainly due to the presence of obstruction in the duodenal lumen (n = 11; 55.0%). Fully covered metallic stents were used in all patients, mostly HotAxiosTM (n = 15; 75.0%). The technical success rate was 100%, and the clinical success rate was 89.5% (n = 17/19) at 7th day and 93.3% (n = 14/15) at 30th day. Four patients (20.0%) developed cholangitis within the first 30 days after the procedure; there were no late complications, and no patient died as a complication of the procedure. In 2 patients (10.0%), endoscopic reintervention was necessary due to stent migration, incidentally detected. Median survival was 93 days (minimum 5-maximum 751). Conclusion: EUS-CDS was effective in biliary decompression of malignant obstructions of the common bile duct, with high clinical success and a favorable safety profile.

Introdução: A drenagem das obstruções biliares malignas é essencial, uma vez que a icterícia está associada a morbimortalidade. A colangiopancreatografia retrógrada endoscópica (CPRE) é o procedimento recomendado para a drenagem biliar, sendo a drenagem biliar percutânea (DBP) a alternativa clássica, se verificado insucesso. Recentemente, a drenagem da via biliar guiada por ecoendoscopia tem-se apresentado como uma nova opção, sendo a coledocoduodenostomia guiada por ecoendoscopia (CGE) considerado um método eficaz e seguro na drenagem de obstruções da via biliar distal. Objetivo: Avaliar o sucesso técnico e clínico e a segurança da CGE em doentes com obstrução da via biliar distal, após falência da CPRE. Métodos: Estudo de coorte retrospetivo, entre Julho/2017 e Junho/2022, de todos os doentes submetidos a CGE no nosso centro. Determinaram-se como outcomes primários o "sucesso técnico" e o "sucesso clínico" ("melhoria ≥50% na bilirrubinemia ao 7.º e ≥ 75% ao 30.º dias após o procedimento"). Os outcomes secundários incluíram a frequência de eventos adversos, necessidade de reintervenção e taxa de sobrevida. Foram utilizadas curvas de Kaplan-Meier para descrever a sobrevida. Resultados: A CGE foi realizada em 20 doentes (65.0% do sexo masculino; idade mediana 76 anos). A etiologia mais frequente para a obstrução foi o adenocarcinoma pancreático (n = 17; 85.0%) e a maioria dos doentes apresentava- se em estadios avançados da neoplasia (12/60% em estadios III ou IV). A falência da CPRE deveu-se à presença de obstrução no lúmen duodenal em 55.0% dos doentes (n = 11). Em todos os doentes foram utilizadas próteses metálicas totalmente cobertas, maioritariamente HotAxiosTM (n = 15; 75.0%). A taxa de sucesso técnico foi de 100% e de sucesso clínico foi de 89.5% ao 7.º dia (n = 17/19) e 93.3% ao 30.º dia (n = 14/15). Quatro doentes (20.0%) desenvolveram colangite nos primeiros 30 dias após o procedimento; não se verificaram complicações tardias e nenhum doente faleceu como complicação do procedimento. Em 2 doentes (10.0%) foi necessária reintervenção por migração da prótese, detetada incidentalmente. A sobrevida mediana foi de 93 dias (mínimo 5 - máximo 751). Conclusões: A CGE foi efetiva na descompressão biliar de obstruções malignas da via biliar distal, com elevado sucesso clínico e um perfil de segurança favorável.

Lane-Hamilton Syndrome in an Adult With Down Syndrome: A Case Report.

The Lane-Hamilton syndrome (LHS) is an extremely rare association between celiac disease (CD) and idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPH), with only a few cases reported in the literature. The authors report a case of a 32-year-old man with Down syndrome who presented to the emergency department with a history of hemoptysis and chronic diarrhea. The complementary investigation revealed iron deficiency anemia and features suggestive of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage on computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest. After excluding all competing diagnosis, the IPH diagnosis was made. The biopsy of the small intestine confirmed CD and the diagnosis of LHS was established. A gluten-free diet and steroids were given to the patient with a very good clinical response. Since there is an established association between IPH and CD, if the diagnosis of IPH is made, it's recommended to screen for CD even in patients without gastrointestinal symptoms.

Intrabiliary metastasis of colorectal adenocarcinoma: the SPY perspective.

We report a case of a 54-year-old female that underwent sigmoidectomy for stage IIA adenocarcinoma. After 5 years of follow-up, despite normal colonoscopy and CEA and CA-19.9 levels, abdominal CT revealed a 3 cm perianastomotic peritoneal lesion and suspected liver metastasis. Although liver biopsy was negative for malignancy, the perianastomotic lesion was confirmed to be metastasis of colonic adenocarcinoma. After chemotherapy, a mild elevation of alkaline phosphatase and γ-GT was evident. MRCP revealed dilation of intrahepatic bile ducts in segment VIII due to an intraluminal lesion in the right hepatic duct, suggestive of intraductal cholangiocarcinoma.

Avaliação do impacto da primeira vaga da pandemia COVID-19 nos utentes seguidos num hospital de dia de psiquiatria / Impact assessment of the first outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients admitted in a psychiatric day hospital / Con la pandemia COVID-19, fue necesario reestructurar las intervenciones de un Hospital de Día de Psiquiatría (HD) portugués

Resumo Introdução: Com a pandemia COVID-19, foi necessária uma restruturação das intervenções do Hospital de Dia de Psiquiatria (HD) de um centro hospitalar. Objetivos: Os nossos objetivos foram: 1) identificar o impacto subjetivo das condições inerentes à pandemia ao nível da saúde mental dos utentes; 2) identificar o impacto subjetivo da alteração da dinâmica de funcionamento do HD e na relação com esta estrutura; e 3) obter feedback quanto à metodologia de trabalho e de intervenção dos técnicos do HD. Métodos: Realizámos um estudo transversal analítico misto. Enviámos questionários aos utentes em dois períodos: (1) um mês após o confinamento (Avaliação geral do período de confinamento; Satisfação com a atividade Despertar (e-mail); Satisfação com a atividade Serenar (online); Escala de Ansiedade do SCL-90-R); e (2) um mês após o início do novo modelo de funcionamento presencial do HD (Avaliação geral; Escala de Ansiedade do SCL-90-R). Resultados: Obtivemos a participação de 12 utentes. A intervenção e as atividades implementadas durante o confinamento foram percecionadas como positivas e permitiram a manutenção do vínculo ao HD; foi destacado negativamente a perda do apoio presencial e as dificuldades tecnológicas. Conclusões: Verificou-se uma tendência para a agudização de sintomas de ansiedade com o início do confinamento, tendo esta sido mantida após o retorno ao funcionamento presencial.

Abstract Introduction: With the COVID-19 pandemic, it was necessary to restructure the interventions of a Portuguese Psychiatry Day Hospital (DH). Aims: Thus, we proposed: (1) to identify the impact of the pandemic on the patients' mental health; (2) to identify the impact of the restructuring of the DH on patients and (3) to obtain feedback regarding the interventions. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional analytical mixed study. We sent questionnaires to patients in two periods: (1) one month after confinement (General assessment of the confinement period; Satisfaction with the Despertar (awakening) activity; Satisfaction with the Serenar (mindfulness) activity (online); SCL-90-R Anxiety Scale); and (2) one month after the start of the new face-to-face operation model of the HD (General Evaluation; SCL-90-R Anxiety Scale). Results: We obtained the participation of 12 patients. The intervention and activities implemented during the confinement were perceived as positive and allowed the maintenance of the link to HD; the loss of face-to-face support and technological difficulties were negatively highlighted. Conclusions: There was a tendency for symptoms of anxiety to worsen with the beginning of confinement, which was maintained after returning to face-to-face functioning.

Resumen Introducción: Con la pandemia COVID-19, fue necesario reestructurar las intervenciones de un Hospital de Día de Psiquiatría (HD) portugués. Objetivos: Así, nos propusimos: (1) identificar el impacto de la pandemia en la salud mental de los pacientes del HD; (2) identificar el impacto subjetivo de la reestructuración del HD y (3) obtener feedback sobre las intervenciones. Métodos: Realizamos un estudio analítico transversal mixto. Enviamos cuestionarios a los pacientes en dos periodos: (1) un mes después del confinamiento (Evaluación general del periodo de encierro; Satisfacción con la actividad Despertar (despertar); Satisfacción con la actividad Serenar (mindfulness) (online); SCL-90-R Escala de ansiedad); y (2) un mes después del inicio del nuevo modelo de operación presencial de HD (Evaluación General; Escala de Ansiedad SCL-90-R). Resultados: Obtuvimos la participación de 12 pacientes. La intervención y actividades implementadas durante el encierro fueron percibidas como positivas y permitieron el mantenimiento del vínculo con HD. Se destacaron negativamente la pérdida de apoyo presencial y las dificultades tecnológicas. Conclusiones: Hubo una tendencia a que los síntomas de ansiedad empeoraran con el inicio del confinamiento, que se mantuvo luego de volver al funcionamiento presencial.

Evaluation of the indirect impact of the 10-valent pneumococcal Haemophilus influenzae protein D conjugate vaccine in a cluster-randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: In the nation-wide double-blind cluster-randomised Finnish Invasive Pneumococcal disease trial (FinIP, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00861380, NCT00839254), we assessed the indirect impact of the 10-valent pneumococcal Haemophilus influenzae protein D conjugate vaccine (PHiD-CV10) against five pneumococcal disease syndromes. METHODS: Children 6 weeks to 18 months received PHiD-CV10 in 48 clusters or hepatitis B/A-vaccine as control in 24 clusters according to infant 3+1/2+1 or catch-up schedules in years 2009-2011. Outcome data were collected from national health registers and included laboratory-confirmed and clinically suspected invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), hospital-diagnosed pneumonia, tympanostomy tube placements (TTP) and outpatient antimicrobial prescriptions. Incidence rates in the unvaccinated population in years 2010-2015 were compared between PHiD-CV10 and control clusters in age groups <5 and ≥5 years (5-7 years for TTP and outpatient antimicrobial prescriptions), and in infants <3 months. PHiD-CV10 was introduced into the Finnish National Vaccination Programme (PCV-NVP) for 3-month-old infants without catch-up in 9/2010. RESULTS: From 2/2009 to 10/2010, 45398 children were enrolled. Vaccination coverage varied from 29 to 61% in PHiD-CV10 clusters. We detected no clear differences in the incidence rates between the unvaccinated cohorts of the treatment arms, except in single years. For example, the rates of vaccine-type IPD, non-laboratory-confirmed IPD and empyema were lower in PHiD-CV10 clusters compared to control clusters in 2012, 2015 and 2011, respectively, in the age-group ≥5 years. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report from a clinical trial evaluating the indirect impact of a PCV against clinical outcomes in an unvaccinated population. We did not observe consistent indirect effects in the PHiD-CV10 clusters compared to the control clusters. We consider that the sub-optimal trial vaccination coverage did not allow the development of detectable indirect effects and that the supervening PCV-NVP significantly diminished the differences in PHiD-CV10 vaccination coverage between the treatment arms.

Needle knife fistulotomy in flat and diverticular papillae: Is it time for redemption?

BACKGROUND: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) recommends needle-knife fistulotomy (NKF) as the preferred precut technique in cases when standard cannulation techniques fail. Despite scarce scientific evidence, flat and diverticular papillae are thought not to be ideal for NKF, as they are associated with poor outcomes. The present study aimed to determine the outcomes of the use of NKF in relation to flat and intradiverticular papillae. METHODS: This prospective multicenter study enrolled consecutive patients, evidencing naïve flat (group A, n = 49) or diverticular papilla (group B, n = 28), who underwent NKF after failure of standard cannulation techniques. Diverticular morphology was subdivided into intradiverticular (group B1, n = 14) and diverticular border papillae (group B2, n = 14), using a previously validated endoscopic classification of the major papilla. The success of biliary cannulation at initial endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), overall biliary cannulation, overall cannulation time, and the rate of adverse events were assessed in the study. RESULTS: The initial cannulation rates were 93.9%, 64.3% and 71.4% for group A, B1, and B2, respectively (P = 0.005); overall cannulation rates after a second ERCP were 98.0%, 92.9% and 85.7%, respectively (P = 0.134). Adverse events occurred in 11.7% of patients, with post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) being the most common adverse event (10.4%). Although there was a trend towards a higher incidence of PEP in flat papillae, univariate and multivariate analyses did not show any significant relationship between pancreatitis and trainee involvement, papillary morphology, nor overall cannulation time. CONCLUSIONS: Although flat papillae are associated with high success rates of biliary cannulation using NKF, the rate of PEP is not negligible. NKF is feasible in diverticular papillae, but it is associated with a modest success rate in the initial ERCP.

Factors Influencing Performance of Cholangioscopy-Guided Lithotripsy Including Available Different Technologies: A Prospective Multicenter Study with 94 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Peroral cholangioscopy (POC)-guided lithotripsy is an effective treatment for difficult biliary stones. A clear definition of factors associated with the efficacy of POC-guided lithotripsy in one session and the performance of electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) and laser lithotripsy (LL) have not clearly emerged. METHODS: This was a non-randomized prospective multicenter study of all consecutive patients who underwent POC lithotripsy (using EHL and/or LL) for difficult biliary stones. The primary endpoint of the study was the number of sessions needed to achieve complete ductal clearance and the factors associated with this outcome. Secondary endpoints included the evaluated efficacies of LL and EHL. RESULTS: Ninety-four patients underwent 113 procedures of EHL or LL. Complete ductal clearance was obtained in 93/94 patients (98.94%). In total, 80/94 patients (85.11%) achieved stone clearance in a single session. In the multivariate analysis, stone size was independently associated with the need for multiple sessions to achieve complete ductal clearance (odds ratio = 1.146, 95% confidence interval: 1.055-1.244; p = 0.001). Using ROC curves and the Youden index, 22 mm was found to be the optimal cutoff for stone size (95% confidence interval: 15.71-28.28; p < 0.001). The majority of the patients (62.8%) underwent LL in the first session. Six patients failed the first session with EHL after using two probes and therefore were crossed over to LL, obtaining ductal clearance in a single additional session with a single LL fiber. EHL was significantly associated with a larger number of probes (2.0 vs. 1.02) to achieve ductal clearance (p < 0.01). The mean procedural time was significantly longer for EHL than for LL [72.1 (SD 16.3 min) versus 51.1 (SD 10.5 min)] (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: POC is highly effective for difficult biliary stones. Most patients achieved complete ductal clearance in one session, which was significantly more likely for stones < 22 mm. EHL was significantly associated with the need for more probes and a longer procedural time to achieve ductal clearance.

Selection bias in patients proposed for neurosurgical versus endovascular treatment of aneurysms of the posterior communicating artery.

BACKGROUND: Microsurgical clipping and endovascular coiling are viable treatment options for posterior communicating artery (PComA) aneurysms, but there are still major limitations to evidence-based decisions regarding standard-of-care treatment. In this study, we aimed at assessing potential selection biases that may influence our ability to extract conclusions about the comparative effectiveness or efficacy of the aneurysm treatment. OBJECTIVE: To study the patient/aneurysm characteristics as possible biases in the option for endovascular or neurosurgical treatment of PComA aneurysms. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective cohort study was performed, including all patients with treated PComA aneurysms with neurosurgical clipping or endovascular coiling between January 2010 and January 2021. Clinical and morphological data were collected from electronic records, and statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 64 patients was eligible for inclusion; 24 (37.5%) patients were proposed for neurosurgical treatment, while 40 (62.5%) for endovascular treatment; 10 patients (25%) crossed over to the clipping group whereas none crossed over to the coiling side. Actual treatment analysis showed significantly higher diameters of mother vessel (t-test, p = 0.034) and aneurysm neck (Mann-Whitney, p = 0.029) in the clipping group and higher aspect and dome-to-neck ratios in the endovascular group (Mann-Whitney, p = 0.008). A significantly higher vasospasm frequency was found in the clipping group but only in the intention-to-treat analysis (Chi-square, p = 0.032). CONCLUSION: Significant morphological differences between effective endovascular and surgical groups and differences in intention-to-treat analysis may limit the validity of a direct comparison between treatment options and suggest the presence of a possible selection bias.