Diabetes and TB: Confluence of Two Epidemic and Its Effect on Clinical Presentation.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) has become a rising concern in low-income countries, particularly in those with Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV) epidemics, and type 2 diabetes has emerged as a significant global chronic health problem, owing to increases in obesity, lifestyle changes, and ageing populations. Diabetes has been identified as a major risk factor for the development of TB. Despite the fact that diabetes imparts a substantially lower risk of TB (3-fold) as compared to HIV (>20-fold), in communities where the number of DM patients is high, the contribution of diabetes to TB might be bigger than HIV. METHODS: This review will focus on the link between TB and diabetes, which is now one of the most important topics for physicians since diabetes impacts the clinical presentation and outcome of TB and vice versa. RESULTS: Though TB is more common in type 1 diabetes, the extent of the problem in type 2 diabetes should be taken into account with equal care, as type 2 diabetes affects a substantially higher number of individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes patients are more vulnerable to infections because of their impaired immune systems. Increased glucose level leads to a rise in the infection status among TB patients and also leads to a rise in various complications. Extensive and increased screening for both TB and DM over years can help diagnose disease priorly and help in better management. TB, when diagnosed in its early stages, can be easily eradicated.

Stigma, depression and quality of life among people affected by neglected tropical diseases in Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Stigma and poor mental health are important factors influencing the quality of life (QOL) of people with neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). This study examines the relationship between stigma, depression and QOL among people affected by leprosy and lymphatic filariasis (LF) in Nepal. METHODS: A cross-sectional community-based survey was conducted among 102 NTD-affected persons (70 leprosy and 32 LF) using interview-administered questionnaires measuring the level of stigma (5-QSI-AP), symptoms of depression (PHQ-9) and QOL (WHOQOL-8). Three different regression models were developed, each using the ordinary least squares and Poisson regression to evaluate the association between stigma and QOL, depression and QOL, and stigma and depression. RESULTS: The mean scores were 21.8±4.4 for QOL, 6.6±5.6 for depression and 3.0±2.8 for stigma. Almost 17% reported the prevalence of depression symptoms. Both stigma (ß=-0.65, p<0.001) and depression (ß=-0.32, p<0.001) were associated with lower scores for QOL, while there was a significant positive relationship between stigma and depression (ß=0.92, p<0.001). Similar results were obtained from the Poisson regression models. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed a considerable burden of depression, stigma and poor QOL among study participants with leprosy and LF in Nepal. A holistic package of care that addresses the physical, mental and psychological well-being of people with NTD is required. CONTEXTE: La stigmatisation et la mauvaise santé mentale sont des facteurs importants qui influencent la qualité de vie des personnes atteintes de maladies tropicales négligées (MTN). Cette étude examine la relation entre la stigmatisation, la dépression et la qualité de vie chez les personnes atteintes de lèpre et de filariose lymphatique au Népal. MÉTHODES UTILISÉES: Une enquête communautaire transversale a été menée auprès de 102 personnes atteintes de MTN (70 de la lèpre et 32 de la filariose lymphatique) à l'aide de questionnaires administrés par entretien mesurant le niveau de stigmatisation (5-QSI-AP), les symptômes de dépression (PHQ-9) et la qualité de vie (WHOQOL-8). Trois modèles de régression différents ont été développés, chacun utilisant les moindres carrés ordinaires et la régression de Poisson pour évaluer l'association entre : (i) la stigmatisation et la QV; (ii) la dépression et la QV; et (iii) la stigmatisation et la dépression. RÉSULTATS: Les scores moyens étaient de 21,8±4,4 pour la QV, 6,6±5,6 pour la dépression, et 3,0±2,8 pour la stigmatisation. Près de 17% des personnes interrogées ont signalé la prévalence de symptômes dépressifs. La stigmatisation (ß = -0,65, p<0 001) et la dépression (ß = -0,32, p<0 001) ont été associées à des scores plus faibles pour la qualité de vie, tandis qu'il existait une relation positive significative entre la stigmatisation et la dépression (ß = 0,92, p<0 001). Des résultats similaires ont été obtenus à partir des modèles de régression de Poisson. CONCLUSIONS: L'étude a montré une incidence importante de dépression, de stigmatisation et d'une mauvaise qualité de vie parmi les participants atteints de lèpre et de FL au Népal. Il convient donc de mettre en place un ensemble de soins holistiques pour ces patients qui prendrait en compte le bien-être physique, mental et psychologique des personnes atteintes de MTN. ANTECEDENTES: La estigmatización y la mala salud mental son factores importantes que influyen en la calidad de vida de las personas con enfermedades tropicales desatendidas. las personas con enfermedades tropicales desatendidas (ETD). Este estudio examina la relación entre el estigma, la depresión y la CdV entre las personas afectadas por lepra y lepra y la filariasis linfática en Nepal. MÉTODOS: Se realizó una encuesta comunitaria transversal entre 102 personas afectadas por ETD (70 de lepra y 32 de filariasis linfática) utilizando cuestionarios entrevistas para medir el nivel de estigma (5-QSI-AP), los síntomas de depresión (PHQ- 9) y la CdV (OMS- 9). 9) y la calidad de vida (WHOQOL-8). Se desarrollaron tres modelos de regresión diferentes regresión de Poisson para evaluar la asociación entre: (i) el estigma y (ii) la depresión. entre: (i) estigma y CdV; (ii) depresión y CdV; y (iii) estigma y depresión. RESULTADOS: Las puntuaciones medias fueron 21,8±4,4 para la CdV, 6,6±5,6 para la depresión y 3,0±2,8 para el estigma. Casi el 17% informó de la prevalencia de síntomas de depresión. Tanto el estigma (ß = -0,65, p<0 001), como la depresión (ß = -0,32, p<0 001) se asociaron con puntuaciones más bajas para la CdV, mientras que hubo una relación positiva significativa entre el estigma y la depresión (ß = 0,92, p<0 001). Se obtuvieron resultados similares en los modelos de regresión de Poisson. CONCLUSIONES: El estudio mostró una carga considerable de depresión, estigma y mala CdV entre los participantes del estudio con lepra y FL en Nepal. Se requiere un paquete holístico de atención que aborde el bienestar físico, mental y psicológico de las personas con ETD.

Abundance, diversity and temporal activity of adult Culicoides spp. associated with cattle in West Bengal, India.

Relative abundance, species composition and temporal activity of Culicoides midges were studied for a period of 2 years (2012-2014) using suction ultra violet light traps at two sites located in the agriculture heartland of West Bengal, India. Surveillance in close proximity to cattle recorded predominance of five species with C oxystoma and C. peregrinus as the most dominant species followed by C. fulvus, C. innoxius and C. anophelis. The temporal activity of midges was investigated for seven consecutive nights at one site in August-September, 2012 and the predominant species was Culicoides oxystoma followed by Culicoides peregrinus. All of the species exhibited crepuscular activity with their flight activity increasing from dusk to dawn. Engorged adults constituted dominant age group in collections. Studies on population ecology of the adults midges are of considerable importance predicting for the epidemicity of midge-borne diseases in cattle.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection: a minimally invasive surgical approach for testicular cancer.

Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) can been employed as primary treatment for stage I non-seminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT) as well as for treatment of post-chemotherapy masses. Open RPLND (O-RPLND) has long been the standard approach for lymphadenectomy, but is associated with significant morbidity. Laparoscopic RPLND (L-RPLND) was developed to mitigate the morbidity associated with O-RPLND, but is a technically challenging procedure requiring significant experience with laparoscopic dissection and suturing to remove lymph nodes behind the great vessels and to control vascular injury. Robotic RPLND (R-RPLND) has gained traction in recent years as an alternative to both O-RPLND and L-RPLND. With superior instrument dexterity and better visualization compared to L-RPLND, and with decreased morbidity, compared to O-RPLND, R-RPLND can be performed safely and effectively. With the latest advances in robotic technology, one can perform a full bilateral dissection without needing to reposition the patient or redock the robot. R-RPLND has been applied for both primary treatment as well as in patients with post-chemotherapy residual abdominal masses.

REEP5 depletion causes sarco-endoplasmic reticulum vacuolization and cardiac functional defects.

The sarco-endoplasmic reticulum (SR/ER) plays an important role in the development and progression of many heart diseases. However, many aspects of its structural organization remain largely unknown, particularly in cells with a highly differentiated SR/ER network. Here, we report a cardiac enriched, SR/ER membrane protein, REEP5 that is centrally involved in regulating SR/ER organization and cellular stress responses in cardiac myocytes. In vitro REEP5 depletion in mouse cardiac myocytes results in SR/ER membrane destabilization and luminal vacuolization along with decreased myocyte contractility and disrupted Ca2+ cycling. Further, in vivo CRISPR/Cas9-mediated REEP5 loss-of-function zebrafish mutants show sensitized cardiac dysfunction upon short-term verapamil treatment. Additionally, in vivo adeno-associated viral (AAV9)-induced REEP5 depletion in the mouse demonstrates cardiac dysfunction. These results demonstrate the critical role of REEP5 in SR/ER organization and function as well as normal heart function and development.

Transperitoneal vs. retroperitoneal robotic partial nephrectomy: a matched-paired analysis.

PURPOSE: When performing robotic nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) for renal tumors, either a transperitoneal approach or retroperitoneal approach can be utilized. The operative technique for robotic retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy (RPPN) is discussed and a matched-paired analysis comparing both RPPN and transperitoneal partial nephrectomy (TPPN) at a single institution is discussed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review over a 10-year period (2006-2016) was performed for all patients who underwent robotic partial nephrectomy. A total of 281 patients underwent RPPN and 263 patients underwent TPPN. A matched-paired analysis was performed on 166 pairs of patients and the outcomes reviewed. RESULTS: Operative time (p < 0.001) and estimated blood loss (p < 0.001) were significantly less in the RPPN group compared to the TPPN group. No differences (p > 0.05) were seen with regard to complexity of cases, warm ischemia time, tumor pathology, positive margin rates, complications, or kidney function post-operatively. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic RPPN and TPPN can both be used for NSS with good results. RPPN, when used appropriately, can lead to shorter operative times, less blood loss and equivalent oncologic and post-operative outcomes. Surgeon comfort and expertise will help determine which approach to use.

Robotic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testicular cancer: feasibility and latest outcomes.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Robotic-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (R-RPLND) is gaining acceptance as an alternative to open and laparoscopic RPLND for the treatment of testicular cancer. We discuss the current state of R-RPLND and summarize the latest relevant literature regarding the feasibility of this operation. RECENT FINDINGS: R-RPLND has been utilized effectively for both treatment of high-risk, clinical stage I testicular cancer as well as in the postchemotherapy setting. The feasibility of R-RPLND has been established with complication rates comparable to open RPLND and with decreased postoperative hospital stay and blood loss. SUMMARY: As R-RPLND continues to evolve and experience grows in high-volume centers, more information will be gained regarding long-term oncologic outcomes. Ultimately, head-to-head trials comparing R-RPLND to open RPLND will be needed to determine the role of R-RPLND in the treatment of testicular cancer.

Priapism caused by "Rhino 7 Platinum 3000" an over-the-counter male enhancement supplement.

Male enhancement and erectile dysfunction supplements are typically non-Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and readily available for purchase by anyone. Longstanding priapism is a significant potential side effect. A 25-year-old man presented with a 48-h priapism after taking Rhino 7 Platinum 3000. He required bilateral corpo-glanular shunting to alleviate his priapism. On initial 2-week follow-up, he had significant fibrosis of the corporal bodies bilaterally and had been unable to achieve an erection. There are few studies performed and few case reports regarding the roles of various supplements in causing priapism. We are unaware of any studies regarding Rhino 7 Platinum 3000. Interestingly, since our initial contact with the FDA Safety Reporting Portal, multiple investigations of Rhino products have demonstrated that sildenafil is a non-labeled ingredient. Given the lack of FDA oversight of many other supplements similar to this one, patients must be wary that the ingredients listed may not be comprehensive and that serious side effects can occur.

The Research Implications of Prostate Specific Antigen Registry Errors: Data from the Veterans Health Administration.

PURPOSE: We sought to characterize the effects of prostate specific antigen registry errors on clinical research by comparing cohorts based on cancer registry prostate specific antigen values with those based directly on results in the electronic health record. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We defined sample cohorts of men with prostate cancer using data from the Veterans Health Administration, including those with a prostate specific antigen value less than 4.0, 4.0 to 10.0, 10.0 to 20.0 and 20.0 to 98.0 ng/ml, respectively. We compared the composition of each cohort and overall patient survival when using prostate specific antigen values from the Veteran Affairs Central Cancer Registry vs the gold standard electronic health record laboratory file results. RESULTS: There was limited agreement among cohorts when defined by cancer registry prostate specific antigen values vs the laboratory file of the electronic health record. The least agreement of 58% was seen in patients with prostate specific antigen less than 4.0 ng/ml and greatest agreement of 89% was noted among patients with prostate specific antigen between 4.0 and 10.0 ng/ml. In each cohort patients assigned to a cohort based only on the cancer registry prostate specific antigen value had significantly different overall survival when compared with patients assigned based on registry and laboratory file prostate specific antigen values. CONCLUSIONS: Cohorts based exclusively on cancer registry prostate specific antigen values may have high rates of misclassification that can introduce concerning differences in key characteristics and result in measurable differences in clinical outcomes.

Unplanned Emergency Department Visits and Hospital Admissions Following Ureteroscopy: Do Ureteral Stents Make a Difference?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate unplanned medical visits within the early postoperative period after ureteroscopy in patients with and without ureteral stent placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified all ureteroscopic procedures for urinary stone disease in the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development database from 2010 to 2012. The primary outcome was any emergency department visit or inpatient hospital admission in the first 7 days following ureteroscopy. Patients were subcategorized by type of ureteroscopy (ie, laser lithotripsy vs basket retrieval) and were analyzed for significant differences between stented and unstented patients. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine if ureteral stent placement was independently associated with unplanned visits. RESULTS: Our analytic cohort included 16,060 patients undergoing 17,716 ureteroscopy procedures. A ureteral stent was placed in 86.2% of patients undergoing laser lithotripsy and in 70.5% of patients receiving basket retrieval. In the 7 days following ureteroscopy, 6.6% of patients were seen in the emergency department and 2.2% of patients were admitted to a hospital. In a fully adjusted model, the utilization of a ureteral stent was not associated with emergency department visits or inpatient admissions. CONCLUSION: Ureteral stent placement during ureteroscopy is not associated with an increased odds of emergency department visits and inpatient admissions in the early postoperative period.

Efficacy of subgingival irrigation with 10% povidone-iodine as an adjunct to scaling and root planing: A clinical and microbiological study.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effectiveness of subgingival irrigation with 10% povidone-iodine as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) and to assess the effectiveness of 10% povidone-iodine in reducing periodontal pathogens mainly Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa). METHODOLOGY: Sixty patients with chronic periodontitis of mild to moderate type with periodontal pocket depths (PDs) of 4-6 mm were recruited. At baseline, plaque index, gingival index, and bleeding index were assessed. The PD and clinical attachment level were assessed using the Florida probe®. Pooled subgingival plaque samples were collected. Each participant was allocated into 2 arches, maxillary arch received SRP alone and mandibular arch received SRP with 10% of povidone-iodine irrigation at baseline. After 3 months, same clinical parameters were assessed and plaque samples were collected from both arches. The collected plaque samples were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 10 and through independent-samples t-test, paired-samples t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: At 3 months posttreatment, subgingival irrigation with povidone-iodine together with SRP showed a statistically significant reduction in all the clinical parameters and in levels of Pg and Aa. CONCLUSION: In the present study, 10% povidone-iodine irrigation as an adjunct to SRP favored the nonsurgical periodontal therapy, due to its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Hence, it could be considered as an adjunctive treatment approach in the treatment of chronic periodontitis.

Contemporary Use of Partial Nephrectomy: Are Older Patients With Impaired Kidney Function Being Left Behind?

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether patient factors, such as age and preoperative kidney function, were associated with receipt of partial nephrectomy in a national integrated healthcare system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified patients treated with a radical or partial nephrectomy from 2002 to 2014 in the Veterans Health Administration. We examined associations among patient age, sex, race or ethnicity, multimorbidity, baseline kidney function, tumor characteristics, and receipt of partial nephrectomy. We estimated the odds of receiving a partial nephrectomy and assessed interactions between covariates and the year of surgery to explore whether patient factors associated with partial nephrectomy changed over time. RESULTS: In our cohort of 14,186 patients, 4508 (31.2%) received a partial nephrectomy. Use of partial nephrectomy increased from 17% in 2002 to 32% in 2008 and to 38% in 2014. Patient race or ethnicity, age, tumor stage, and year of surgery were independently associated with receipt of partial nephrectomy. Black veterans had significantly increased odds of receipt of partial nephrectomy, whereas older patients had significantly reduced odds. Partial nephrectomy utilization increased for all groups over time, but older patients and patients with worse baseline kidney function showed the least increase in odds of partial nephrectomy. CONCLUSION: Although the utilization of partial nephrectomy increased for all groups, the greatest increase occurred in the youngest patients and those with the highest baseline kidney function. These trends warrant further investigation to ensure that patients at the highest risk of impaired kidney function are considered for partial nephrectomy whenever possible.

Laboratory rearing of immature Culicoides peregrinus Kieffer, a potential vector of bluetongue virus.

Culicoides peregrinus (Kieffer) (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) was reared from egg to adult using four different combinations of food and substrate (T1: absorbent cotton, mud broth with 2% yeast; T2: 1% agar, mud broth with 2% yeast; T3: absorbent cotton, nutrient broth; T4: absorbent cotton, 2% yeast). Field-collected engorged females exhibited mean fecundity of 82.45 ± 4.00. The highest rate of emergence and largest adults were obtained in T1, and the lowest rate of emergence was observed in T4. Two-way analyses of variance with post hoc Tukey tests showed significant differences in age at pupation, pupal weight and wing length among the various treatments, although the sex ratio was 1 : 1 in all food/substrate combinations. The successful rearing of immature C. peregrinus is an encouraging step towards the establishment of a laboratory colony of this prevalent species associated with livestock.

Isolation of haemolytic bacilli from field-collected Culicoides oxystoma and Culicoides peregrinus: potential vectors of bluetongue virus in West Bengal, India.

Two haemolytic bacterial strains of Bacillus pumilus (CU1A, CU1B) and one blood-utilizing strain of Bacillus licheniformis (CU2B) were isolated from relatively low numbers of field-collected females of Culicoides oxystoma and Culicoides peregrinus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). A total of 36 females, including 18 of each of C. oxystoma and C. peregrinus (consisting of one and a pool of eight blood-engorged specimens, and one and a pool of eight non-engorged specimens for each species), were tested. In C. oxystoma, all three strains of bacteria were isolated from the one non-engorged, the pool of non-engorged and the pool of blood-engorged females tested, but CU1A and CU2B were not found in the one blood-engorged female tested. In C. peregrinus, all three strains were present in the pool of blood-engorged females. However, the strain CU2B was not found in the pool of non-engorged females. In the one blood-engorged and one non-engorged female tested, CU1A and CU2B were detected. The bacterial strains were identified based on Gram staining, enzyme activity (amylase and protease) and alignment of the 16S rRNA partial gene sequence to that available in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database GenBank. The functional role and significance of these haemolytic and blood-digesting bacteria within the genus Culicoides remain to be determined.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of baclofen and chlordiazepoxide in uncomplicated alcohol-withdrawal syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are the first-line drugs in alcohol-withdrawal syndrome (AWS). Baclofen, a gamma-aminobutyric acidB (GABAB) agonist, controls withdrawal symptoms without causing significant adverse effects. The objective of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of baclofen and chlordiazepoxide in the management of uncomplicated AWS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a randomized, open label, standard controlled, parallel group study of cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) of baclofen and chlordiazepoxide in 60 participants with uncomplicated AWS. Clinical efficacy was measured by the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for alcohol (CIWA-Ar) scores. Lorazepam was used as supplement medication if withdrawal symptoms could not be controlled effectively by the study drugs alone. Both direct and indirect medical costs were considered and the CEA was analyzed in both patient's perspective and third-party perspective. RESULTS: The average cost-effectiveness ratio (ACER) in patient's perspective of baclofen and chlordiazepoxide was Rs. 5,308.61 and Rs. 2,951.95 per symptom-free day, respectively. The ACER in third-party perspective of baclofen and chlordiazepoxide was Rs. 895.01 and Rs. 476.29 per symptom-free day, respectively. Participants on chlordiazepoxide had more number of symptom-free days when compared with the baclofen group on analysis by Mann-Whitney test (U = 253.50, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Both study drugs provided relief of withdrawal symptoms. Chlordiazepoxide was more cost-effective than baclofen. Baclofen was relatively less effective and more expensive than chlordiazepoxide.

Combination of non-endoscopic parameters as predictors of large esophageal varices.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Bleeding from gastroesophageal varices is a life-threatening complication of cirrhosis. Prophylactic therapy for large varices considerably reduces such bleeding. Current guidelines recommend upper GI endoscopy as the gold standard for detecting high-grade varices. However, in peripheral centers, this is often unfeasible or inaccessible thus requiring non-endoscopic predictors of large oesophageal varices. METHODS: This prospective study involved 100 newly diagnosed cirrhosis patients without any history of variceal bleeding. Demographic, clinical, bio-chemical and ultrasonographic parameters were recorded. Esophageal varices were classified endoscopically as small and large. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of variceal size and presence. Cut-offs of significant indicators were determined by ROC analysis. RESULTS: 69% patients had small and 31% had large varices. Univariate analysis revealed significant differences between the grade of spleen, blood parameters, platelet count, international normalized ratio, serum albumin, spleen size, portal vein diameter (PVD) and platelet count to spleen diameter ratio in the two groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that INR [OR: 2.432(95% CI: 1.192 - 4.958)], splenomegaly at USG [OR: 2.138 (95% CI: 0.662 - 6.911)] and PVD [OR: 1.318 (95% CI: 0.937 - 1.853)] were the most significant predictors for large varices. CONCLUSIONS: Multivariate prediction of large varices based on a combination of non-endoscopic parameters can be utilized in place of single parameter based predictions.