Forgotten clientele: A systematic review of patient-centered pathology reports.

CONTEXT: Patient portals, designed to give ready access to medical records, have led to important improvements in patient care. However, there is a downside: much of the information available on portals is not designed for lay people. Pathology reports are no exception. Access to complex reports often leaves patients confused, concerned and stressed. We conducted a systematic review to explore recommendations and guidelines designed to promote a patient centered approach to pathology reporting. DESIGN: In consultation with a research librarian, a search strategy was developed to identify literature regarding patient-centered pathology reports (PCPR). Terms such as "pathology reports," "patient-centered," and "lay-terms" were used. The PubMed, Embase and Scopus databases were searched during the first quarter of 2023. Studies were included if they were original research and in English, without date restrictions. RESULTS: Of 1,053 articles identified, 17 underwent a full-text review. Only 5 studies (≈0.5%) met eligibility criteria: two randomized trials; two qualitative studies; a patient survey of perceived utility of potential interventions. A major theme that emerged from the patient survey/qualitative studies is the need for pathology reports to be in simple, non-medical language. Major themes of the quantitative studies were that patients preferred PCPRs, and patients who received PCPRs knew and recalled their cancer stage/grade better than the control group. CONCLUSION: Pathology reports play a vital role in the decision-making process for patient care. Yet, they are beyond the comprehension of most patients. No framework or guidelines exist for generating reports that deploy accessible language. PCPRs should be a focus of future interventions to improve patient care.

Sarcoidosis Versus Lymphoma: A Clinical Diagnostic Dilemma in a Patient With Extensive Lymphadenopathy.

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease involving multiple organ systems. In its classic form, sarcoidosis is associated with non-caseating granuloma. Several differential diagnostic entities exist for sarcoidosis, including tuberculosis (TB), as well as lymphomas. In this report, we present a case of sarcoidosis in a 55-year-old male with diffuse lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenic involvement, highlighting the differential diagnostic point for this disease.

Timing to perform VATS for traumatic-retained hemothorax (a systematic review and meta-analysis).

PURPOSE: In this systematic review, we analyzed the optimal time range to evacuate traumatic-retained hemothorax using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, Google Scholar, and the U.S. National Library of Medicine clinical trials database up to February 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies with relevant data were included. Data were extracted from studies that reported the success, mortality, or length of hospital stay (LOS) after using VATS during at least two out of three of our time-ranges of interest: days 1-3 (group A), days 4-6 (group B), and day 7 or later (group C). RESULTS: Six cohort studies with 476 total participants were included in the meta-analysis. The patients in group A had a significantly higher success rate than those in group C (RR = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.21-0.84, p = 0.01). The total LOS for patients whose retained hemothorax was evacuated in group A was 4.7 days shorter than that for those in group B (95% CI = - 5.6 to - 3.8, p = 0.006). Likewise, group B patients were discharged 18.1 days earlier than group C patients (95% CI = - 22.3 to - 14, p < 0.001). Short-term mortality was not decreased by early VATS. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that VATS should be considered within the first three days of admission if this intervention is the clinician's choice to evacuate a traumatic-retained hemothorax. Protocol registration number in PROSPERO: CRD42017046856.

An update on renal involvement in hemophagocytic syndrome (macrophage activation syndrome).

CONTEXT: Hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) is mainly characterized by massive infiltration of bone marrow by activated macrophages and often presents with pancytopenia. Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is also present with thrombocytopenia and renal involvement. Both conditions could coexist with each other and complicate the condition. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), EMBASE, Google Scholar, PubMed, EBSCO, and Web of Science with keywords relevant to; Hemophagocytic syndrome, macrophage activation syndrome, interferon-gamma and thrombotic microangiopathy, have been searched. RESULTS: Viral infection, rheumatologic disease and malignancies are the main underlying causes for secondary HPS. calcineurin inhibitors and viral infections are also the main underlying causes of TMA in transplant recipients. In this review, we discussed a 39-year-old male who presented with pancytopenia and renal allograft dysfunction. With the diagnosis of HPS induced TMA his renal condition and pancytopenia improved after receiving intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and plasmapheresis therapy. CONCLUSIONS: HPS is an increasingly recognized disorder in the realm of different medical specialties. Renal involvement complicates the clinical picture of the disease, and this condition even is more complex in renal transplant recipients. We should consider the possibility of HPS in any renal transplant recipient with pancytopenia and allograft dysfunction. The combination of HPS with TMA future increases the complexity of the situation.

BK virus nephropathy is not always alone.

INTRODUCTION: BK virus associated allograft nephropathy (BKVAN) is an important cause of allograft lost that often occurs in the first year of transplantation. The state of over immunosuppression also predispose these patients to various opportunistic viral infection Objectives: This research aimed to study the renal transplanted patients for BK viremia and BKVAN. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This observational study was conducted between January 2013 to December 2014 to study the renal transplanted patients for BK viremia and BKVAN. In our center patients received combination of de-sensitization therapy including antithymocyte globulin (ATG), rituximab (RITU), basiliximab, therapeutic plasma exchange, and methylprednisolone (MTP), in high risks or only MTP therapy in immunologically low risk patients. RESULTS: Of total number of 26 patients (20-52 years, M/F 17/9), seven patients received ATG and seven patient received intensive desensitizing protocols, BKVAN and BK viremia happened in three and two patients in above groups subsequently, only one patient developed BKVAN in low risk group. We also observed; cytomegalovirus (CMV) and parvovirus B19 infection and hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS), thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) and endocarditis in our patients with BKVAN and BK viremia. CONCLUSION: Awareness about the possibility of BK virus nephropathy and appropriate immunosuppression minimization are crucial components of management. Consideration of other opportunistic infections and specific syndromes are also very important.

Serum Klotho Levels in Trained Athletes.

BACKGROUND: Klotho is an anti-aging protein that is predominantly secreted by the kidneys. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to measure and compare the circulating Klotho levels in the serum of trained athletes and in healthy, non-athlete controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty trained football players were enrolled and their serum Klotho levels were measured the morning after their last evening exercise training. RESULTS: The plasma free Klotho concentration was significantly higher in the athlete group (3.375 ± 1.48 ng/mL) compared to the non-athletes (1.39 ± 0.43 ng/mL) (P < 0.05). Serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, calcium, and phosphorus were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Regular aerobic exercise could increase plasma Klotho levels, and this could be an explanation for exercise-related anti-aging effects.

Genetics and Epigenetics of Chronic Allograft Dysfunction in Kidney Transplants.

Chronic allograft dysfunction is the most common cause of allograft lost. Chronic allograft dysfunction happens as a result of complex interactions at the molecular and cellular levels. Genetic and environmental factors both influence the evolution and progression of the chronic allograft dysfunction. Epigenetic modification could be considered as a therapeutically modifiable element to pause the fibrosis process through novel strategies. In this review, the PubMed database was searched for English-language articles on these new areas.

Evaluation of the Pathogenesis of Tumor Development from Endometriosis by Estrogen Receptor, P53 and Bcl-2 Immunohistochemical Staining

Objective: Endometriosis, one of the most common estrogen dependent gynecological disorders, can present as both benign and malignant disease. The prevalence of tumoral transformation is 0.7-1.6% and the most common tumors are clear cell and endometrioid carcinomas. Unfortunately, the pathogenesis of transformation is unknown. For this purpose, we examined molecular alterations in ovarian endometriosis and endometriosis-associated tumors. Methods: Using the data bank of Alzahra hospital pathology department and paraffin blocks from appropriate cases were identified. Sections were cut and stained for 3 markers: estrogen receptor, P53 and bcl2. Correlations between findings were investigated. Results: Nineteen cases of endometriosis-associated tumor and 19 cases of endometriosis were identified. Staining for bcl2 was documented in 14 of 19 (73.7%) of endometriosis-associated tumor cases and also 7 of 19 (36.8%) endometriosis cases (P=0.02). Only 3 of the 19 (15.8%) endometriosis-associated tumors exhibited positive staining for estrogen receptors, compared with 14 of 19 (73.7%) endometriosis cases (P<0.001). Positive staining for P53 was noted in 5 of 19 (31.6%) endometriosis-associated ovarian tumor samples but was absent in endometriosis samples (0%), (P =0.008). Conclusions: Endometriosis-associated tumors appear to be associated with overexpression of bcl2 and P53 and reduced expression of Estrogen receptor. These finding may help to diagnose tumoral transformation with a background of endometriosis.

A Review of Ferdous al-Hekma fil-Tibb by Ali ibn Raban Tabari.

T Ferdous al-Hekma (Paradise of Wisdom) is one of the oldest medical texts in the Islamic world written in Arabic in 850 AD by Ali ibn Raban Tabari. He was a Persian physician who moved from Tabaristan (Mazandaran province of modern day Iran) to Samarra during the reign of the Abbasid Caliph al-Mutawakkil (847-861 AD). We studied the book of Ferdous al-Hekma fil-Tibb, in an attempt to comprehend its general outlook on diseases of different organs, their classifications and the associated signs and symptoms. The book is one of the earliest medical pandects of the period of translation, adaptation and expansion of knowledge in the Islamic world during the 9(th) century AD. Tabari was mainly influenced by Hippocrates, Galen and Aristotle, as well as his contemporaries Johanna ibn Massavieh and Hunayn ibn Ishaq. The book is written in thirty chapters in a total number of 308 subtitles. In each part there is an introduction to the symptomatology, followed by organ specific diseases and therapeutic recommendations. Symptoms and physical signs of different diseases are vividly described in Ferdous al-Hekma, and some of them are even understandable for contemporary medical students.

Immunohistochemical Profile of Uterine Leiomyoma With Bizarre Nuclei; Comparison With Conventional Leiomyoma, Smooth Muscle Tumors of Uncertain Malignant Potential and Leiomyosarcoma.

PURPOSE: To assess the immunohistochemical profile of the atypical nuclei in leiomyoma with bizarre nuclei and compare with benign and malignant counterparts. METHODS: 26 cases of uterine smooth muscle tumors including 12 leiomyosarcoma(LMS), 10 leiomyoma with bizarre nuclei (LBN) and 4 smooth muscle tumor with uncertain malignant potential (STUMP) were selected using whole tissue sections for this study and analysis. Six cases of ordinary leiomyoma were included as benign control group. All representative section were stained for P53, Ki67, estrogen receptor and progestrone receptor. Analysis was carried out using SPSS 16.0 for windows software. RESULTS: Six out of 12 cases of LMS showed strong and diffuse nuclear staining with p53 antibody (50%). In contrast none of STUMPs and only one case of LBN cases showed focal positive reaction with P53. Percentage of positive cells for ki67 in LMS was 14.92 while only 0.85% of cells in LBNs was labeled with Ki67 proliferative marker. (P<0.001). Regarding steroid hormone receptors a significant loosing trend was found in these receptors from benign toward malignant tumors through LBN and STUMP cases. CONCLUSION: Loss of inhibitory function of wild type P53 gene in leiomyosarcoma is an essential event that discriminate frankly malignant tumors from STUMP and atypical leiomyoma.