Feasibility and impact of near-point-of-care integrated tuberculosis/HIV testing in Malawi and Zimbabwe.

OBJECTIVES: Near-point-of-care (POC) testing for early infant diagnosis (EID) and viral load expedites clinical action and improves outcomes but requires capital investment. We assessed whether excess capacity on existing near-POC devices used for TB diagnosis could be leveraged to increase near-POC HIV molecular testing, termed integrated testing, without compromising TB services. DESIGN: Preimplementation/postimplementation studies in 10 health facilities in Malawi and 8 in Zimbabwe. METHODS: Timeliness of EID and viral load test results and clinical action were compared between centralized and near-POC testing using Somers' D tests (continuous indicators) and risk ratios (RR, binary indicators); TB testing/treatment rates and timeliness were analyzed preintegration/postintegration. RESULTS: With integration, average device utilization increased but did not exceed 55%. Despite the addition of HIV testing, TB test volumes, timeliness, and treatment initiations were maintained. Although few HIV-positive infants were identified, near-POC EID testing improved treatment initiation within 1 month by 57% compared with centralized EID [Malawi RR: 1.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.98-2.52], and near-POC viral load testing significantly increased the proportion of patients with elevated viral load receiving clinical action within 1 month (Zimbabwe RR: 5.26, 95% CI 3.38-8.20; Malawi RR: 3.90, 95% CI 2.58-5.91). CONCLUSION: Integrating TB/HIV testing using existing multidisease platforms is feasible and enables increased access to rapid diagnostics without disrupting existing TB services. Our results serve as an example of a novel, efficient implementation model that can increase access to critical testing services across disease silos and should be considered for additional clinical applications.

Point-of-care testing can achieve same-day diagnosis for infants and rapid ART initiation: results from government programmes across six African countries.

INTRODUCTION: Point-of-care (POC) early infant diagnosis (EID) testing has been shown to dramatically decrease turnaround times from sample collection to caregiver result receipt and time to ART initiation for HIV-positive infants compared to centralized laboratory testing. As governments in sub-Saharan Africa implement POC EID technologies, we report on the feasibility and effectiveness of POC EID testing and the impact of same-day result delivery on rapid ART initiation within national programmes across six countries. METHODS: This pre-/post-evaluation compared centralized laboratory-based (pre) with POC (post) EID testing in 52 facilities across Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal and Zimbabwe between April 2017 and October 2019 (country-dependent). Data were collected retrospectively from routine records at health facilities for all infants tested under two years of age. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to compare time-to-event outcomes, visualized with Kaplan-Meier curves, and the Somers' D test was used to compare continuous outcomes. RESULTS: Data were collected for 2892 EID tests conducted on centralized laboratory-based platforms and 4610 EID tests on POC devices with 127 (4%) and 192 (4%) HIV-positive infants identified, respectively. POC EID significantly reduced the time from sample collection to caregiver result receipt (POC median: 0 days, IQR: 0 to 0 vs. centralized: 35 days, IQR: 26 to 56) and time from sample collection to ART initiation for HIV-positive infants (POC median: 1 day, IQR: 0 to 7 vs. centralized: 39 days, IQR: 26 to 57). With POC testing, 72% of infants received results on the same day as sample collection; HIV-positive infants with a same-day diagnosis had six times the rate of ART initiation compared to those diagnosed one or more days after sample collection (HR: 6.39; 95% CI: 3.44 to 11.85). CONCLUSIONS: Same-day diagnosis and treatment initiation for infants is possible with POC EID within routine government-led and -supported public sector healthcare facilities in resource-limited settings. Given that POC EID allows for rapid ART initiation, aligning to the World Health Organization's recommendation of ART initiation within seven days, its use in public sector programmes has the potential to reduce overall mortality for infants with HIV through early treatment initiation.

Cygnus X-1 contains a 21-solar mass black hole-Implications for massive star winds.

The evolution of massive stars is influenced by the mass lost to stellar winds over their lifetimes. These winds limit the masses of the stellar remnants (such as black holes) that the stars ultimately produce. We used radio astrometry to refine the distance to the black hole x-ray binary Cygnus X-1, which we found to be [Formula: see text] kiloparsecs. When combined with archival optical data, this implies a black hole mass of 21.2 ± 2.2 solar masses, which is higher than previous measurements. The formation of such a high-mass black hole in a high-metallicity system (within the Milky Way) constrains wind mass loss from massive stars.

Evaluation of near point-of-care viral load implementation in public health facilities across seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

INTRODUCTION: In many low- and middle-income countries, HIV viral load (VL) testing occurs at centralized laboratories and time-to-result-delivery is lengthy, preventing timely monitoring of HIV treatment adherence. Near point-of-care (POC) devices, which are placed within health facility laboratories rather than clinics themselves (i.e. "true" POC), can offer VL in conjunction with centralized laboratories to expedite clinical decision making and improve outcomes, especially for patients at high risk of treatment failure. We assessed impacts of near-POC VL testing on result receipt and clinical action in public sector programmes in Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Senegal, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. METHODS: Routine health data were collected retrospectively after introducing near-POC VL testing at 57 public sector health facilities (2017 to 2019, country-dependent). Where possible, key indicators were compared to data from patients receiving centralized laboratory testing using hazard ratios and the Somers' D test. RESULTS: Data were collected from 6795 tests conducted on near-POC and 17614 tests on centralized laboratory-based platforms. Thirty-one percent (2062/6694) of near-POC tests were conducted for high-risk populations: pregnant and breastfeeding women, children and those with suspected failure. Compared to conventional testing, near-POC improved the median time from sample collection to return of results to patient [six vs. sixty-eight days, effect size: -32.2%; 95% CI: -41.0% to -23.4%] and to clinical action for individuals with an elevated HIV VL [three vs. fourty-nine days, effect size: -35.4%; 95% CI: -46.0% to -24.8%]. Near-POC VL results were two times more likely to be returned to the patient within 90 days compared to centralized tests [50% (1781/3594) vs. 27% (4172/15271); aHR: 2.22, 95% CI: 2.05 to 2.39]. Thirty-seven percent (340/925) of patients with an elevated near-POC HIV VL result had documented clinical follow-up actions within 30 days compared to 7% (167/2276) for centralized testing. CONCLUSIONS: Near-POC VL testing enabled rapid test result delivery for high-risk populations and led to significant improvements in the timeliness of patient result receipt compared to centralized testing. While there was some improvement in time-to-clinical action with near-POC VL testing, major gaps remained. Strengthening of systems supporting the utilization of results for patient management are needed to truly capitalize on the benefits of decentralized testing.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Breast Cancer with 99mTc-Tilmanocept: A Multicenter Study on Real-Life Use of a Novel Tracer.

99mTc-tilmanocept is a novel radiopharmaceutical for sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in breast cancer. Our aim was to describe results with 99mTc-tilmanocept in a heterogeneous group of breast cancer patients scheduled for SLN biopsy. Methods: Radiotracer preparation followed the manufacturer's indications. Local protocols for SLN detection within 9 participant centers were not changed for the entire duration of the study. In total, 344 patients with T1-T4, N0-N2 breast cancer (352 lesions) were included. Superficial (intradermal or periareolar) or deep (peritumoral or intratumoral) injections were performed. The doses were adjusted depending on the scheduled time for surgery. Results: Lymphoscintigraphy was able to depict at least 1 SLN in 339 of 352 breast lesions (96.3%), and the intraoperative SLN detection rate reached 97.2%. On univariable analysis, SLN detection rates did not differ by age, clinical T or N stage, tumor location, histologic subtype, or prior neoadjuvant therapy. Lymphoscintigraphy showed higher SLN detection in patients with a normal weight (body mass index < 25) than in those who were overweight or obese (body mass index ≥ 25), at 99.2% versus 94.6%, respectively (P = 0.031). The proportion of patients with preoperative lymphoscintigraphic detection or excised SLNs was higher with superficial than deep injections. Reinjected cases were significantly lower when superficial injection was chosen first (P < 0.001). Injection site and the tumor markers human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 and estrogen receptor had an impact on preoperative SLN visualization and intraoperative localization. In 80 cases, SLN biopsy resulted in a positive lymph node. During a mean follow-up of 19 mo, no axillary recurrences were observed. Conclusion: Whatever the protocol, 99mTc-tilmanocept showed good results in a heterogeneous breast cancer population, although the best results were achieved when a superficial injection was chosen.

Disección cervical radioguiada con semillas de I125 como tratamiento de la recurrencia de cáncer papilar de tiroides / Selective Neck Dissection Guided by a Radioactive I125 Seed for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Recurrence

El lugar más frecuente de recidiva del carcinoma papilar de tiroides es en los ganglios cervicales, siendo la cirugía una de las posibilidades terapéuticas. El riesgo quirúrgico para el paciente se incrementa con cada reintervención. Describimos 3 casos de disección cervical radioguiada con semilla de I125 en recidiva de cáncer de tiroides con lesiones no palpables, realizadas entre 2017 y 2019. Dos de los casos habían sido tratados previamente con tiroidectomía total y linfadenectomía del compartimento central. En todos los casos se colocó la semilla guiada mediante ecografía en la lesión sospechosa, comprobando su localización. La tasa de éxito para localizar el nódulo fue del 100%. No hubo complicaciones posquirúrgicas. Con un seguimiento medio de 15 meses no se han descrito recurrencias. La técnica radioguiada con semilla de I125 es segura y ofrece una gran precisión a la hora de localizar lesiones cervicales no palpables en recidivas de cáncer de tiroides

Lymph nodes are the most common place of recurrence of papillary thyroid cancer, and surgery can be considered a therapeutic option. The risks of surgery increase with every intervention. We present 3 cases of cervical non palpable thyroid cancer recurrence managed with I125 seed radioguided cervical dissection from 2017 to 2019. Two of the cases had already a thyroidectomy and central compartment lymphadenectomy performed. The seed was placed guided by US on the lesion and its position was confirmed afterwards. The target was successfully localized in 100% of cases. There was no post surgery complications. There was no evidence of recurrence with a mean follow up of 15 months. Radioguided surgery using I125 seed it is a save technique and it offers a precise localization of the non palpable thyroid cancer recurrence

Selective Neck Dissection Guided by a Radioactive I125 Seed for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Recurrence. / Disección cervical radioguiada con semillas de I125 como tratamiento de la recurrencia de cáncer papilar de tiroides.

Lymph nodes are the most common place of recurrence of papillary thyroid cancer, and surgery can be considered a therapeutic option. The risks of surgery increase with every intervention. We present 3 cases of cervical non palpable thyroid cancer recurrence managed with I125 seed radioguided cervical dissection from 2017 to 2019. Two of the cases had already a thyroidectomy and central compartment lymphadenectomy performed. The seed was placed guided by US on the lesion and its position was confirmed afterwards. The target was successfully localized in 100% of cases. There was no post surgery complications. There was no evidence of recurrence with a mean follow up of 15 months. Radioguided surgery using I125 seed it is a save technique and it offers a precise localization of the non palpable thyroid cancer recurrence.

Linfoma anaplásico de células grandes asociado a implantes mamarios. Documento de consenso (I): epidemiología, patogenia, clínica y diagnóstico / Breast-implant associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. Consensus document (I). Epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptoms and diagnosis

El linfoma anaplásico de células grandes asociado a implantes mamarios (BIA-ALCL según sus siglas en inglés) es un tipo raro de linfoma no Hodgkin que se ha descrito en el contexto de la cirugía reconstructiva y estética de mama mediante implantes. Estos artículos presentan un consenso de la Sociedad Española de Senología y Patología Mamaria (SESPM) con la idea de unificar, en esta primera parte, los criterios de diagnóstico de esta enfermedad describiendo asimismo la epidemiología y la etiopatogenia

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that has been described in the context of reconstructive and aesthetic breast implant surgery. These articles present a consensus of the Spanish Society of Senology and Breast Disease (SESPM). In this first part, the aim is to unify the diagnostic criteria of this disease and describe its epidemiology and etiopathogenesis

Linfoma anaplásico de células grandes asociado a implantes mamarios. Documento de consenso parte II: estadificación, tratamiento, pronóstico y seguimiento / Breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. Consensus document part II: Staging, prognosis and follow-up

El linfoma anaplásico de células grandes asociado a implantes mamarios (BIA-ALCL según sus siglas en inglés) es un tipo raro de linfoma no Hodgkin que se ha descrito en el contexto de la cirugía reconstructiva y estética de mama mediante implantes. Este segundo artículo presenta la parte del consenso de la Sociedad Española de Senología y Patología Mamaria (SESPM) sobre el tratamiento quirúrgico, médico, radioterápico, pronóstico y seguimiento

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that has been described in the context of breast implant reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. This second article presents the consensus of the Spanish Society of Senology and Breast Disease (SESPM) on the medical and surgical treatment of this disease, radiotherapy, prognosis and follow-up

Marcaje percutáneo de 2 metástasis pulmonares con una única semilla equidistante / Percutaneous Marking of 2 Adjacent Pulmonary Metastases With a Single Equidistant Seed

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Astrometrically registered maps of H2O and SiO masers toward VX Sagittarii.

The supergiant VX Sagittarii is a strong emitter of both H2O and SiO masers. However, previous VLBI observations have been performed separately, which makes it difficult to spatially trace the outward transfer of the material consecutively. Here we present the astrometrically registered, simultaneous maps of 22.2 GHz H2O and 43.1/42.8/86.2/129.3 GHz SiO masers toward VX Sagittarii. The H2O masers detected above the dust-forming layers have an asymmetric distribution. The multi-transition SiO masers are nearly circular ring, suggesting spherically symmetric wind within a few stellar radii. These results provide the clear evidence that the asymmetry in the outflow is enhanced after the smaller molecular gas clump transform into the inhomogeneous dust layers. The 129.3 GHz maser arises from the outermost region compared to that of 43.1/42.8/86.2 GHz SiO masers. The ring size of the 129.3 GHz maser is maximized around the optical maximum, suggesting that radiative pumping is dominant.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in selected cases of ductal carcinoma in situ.

INTRODUCTION: Axillary lymphadenectomy is nowadays not recommended to treat ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), but there is controversy surrounding the indication for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study of a selected group of patients diagnosed preoperatively with DCIS was performed between 2004 and 2009. Indications for SLNB were histologically determined high-grade tumours, tumour size >2 cm and patients scheduled to undergo a mastectomy. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients were analysed. Surgical technique was mastectomy in 39 patients (60%) and conservative breast surgery in 26 (40%). Definitive histological study of the resected breast tumour revealed 43 cases (66.2%) of DCIS, 15 (23.1%) of ductal invasive carcinoma and seven (10.7%) microinvasive tumours. In confirmed DCIS, only 6.9% of sentinel lymph nodes were positive, in microinvasive carcinoma 28.5% and in invasive carcinoma 40% were positive. Total number of patients with positive sentinel lymph nodes was 11 (16.9%). Of 39 mastectomies, 12 corresponded to microinvasive or invasive carcinoma and six (50%) showed a positive SLNB. CONCLUSIONS: Performing SLNB avoids an unnecessary second surgery to study axillary lymph nodes in invasive carcinoma diagnosed after definitive histological study. In patients undergoing a mastectomy, this study requires an axillary lymphadenectomy that is not useful in up to 50% of cases. We think that in a selected group of patients with DCIS, SLNB improves tumour staging, adapts the treatment and avoids second surgery in this group of patients.

Cirugía radiodirigida del adenoma de paratiroides / Radioguided surgery for parathyroid adenoma

Introducción. En la última década, coincidiendo con la introducción de la gammagrafía marcada con sestamibi se han descrito distintos protocolos de cirugía con abordaje unilateral. Entre ellos surge la posibilidad de utilizar sondas manuales de detección de radiación gamma para identificar las glándulas marcadas con sestamibi. En el trabajo se evalúa la posibilidad de un abordaje unilateral en el hiperparatiroidismo primario facilitado por la sonda manual. Pacientes y método. Se incluye a 20 pacientes diagnosticados de hiperparatiroidismo primario en los que la gammagrafía preoperatoria con sestamibi muestra la sospecha de un adenoma, y se comparan con un grupo control de cirugía convencional recogido del archivo histórico del hospital. Resultados. Hubo un cado de conversión a cervicotomía bilateral (5 por ciento). En el resto se completó la intervención con abordaje unilateral sin que se produjeran recidivas del hiperparatiroidismo ni complicaciones importantes. La duración mediana de la cirugía fue de 40 min en el grupo radiodirigido (30 por ciento menor que con el abordaje convencional), con una estancia postoperatoria de un día (incluyendo a 4 pacientes que fueron intervenidos en régimen ambulatorio). El tamaño de las incisiones realizadas en los pacientes tratados con cirugía unilateral fue de 2,8 cm. Conclusion. Un abordaje unilateral mínimamente invasivo es posible y seguro cuando la gammagrafía preoperatoria muestra la sospecha de un adenoma de paratiroides. Con ello se consigue evitar una disección cervical innecesaria y una reducción de la duración de la cirugía, la estancia postoperatoria y el tamaño de la cicatriz, con la consiguiente satisfacción por parte de los pacientes y los cirujanos (AU)