A PET-CT score for discriminating malignant from benign pleural effusions / Desarrollo de una categorización de la PET-TAC para la diferenciación entre derrames pleurales benignos y malignos

Background and objectives The results of previous PET-CT studies are contradictory for discriminating malignant from benign pleural effusions. We purpose to develop a PET-CT score for differentiating between benign and malignant effusions. Patients and methods We conducted a prospective study of consecutive patients with pleural effusions undergoing PET-CT from October 2013 to October 2019 (referral cohort). PET-CT scan features evaluated using the SUV were: linear thickening; nodular thickening; nodules; masses; circumferential thickening; mediastinal and fissural pleural involvement; intrathoracic lymph nodes; pleural loculation; inflammatory consolidation; pleural calcification; cardiomegaly; pericardial effusion; bilateral effusion; lung mass; liver metastasis and other extra-pleural malignancy. The results were validated in an independent prospective cohort from November 2019 to June 2021. Results One hundred and ninety-nine patients were enrolled in the referral cohort (91 with malignant effusions and 108 benign). The most useful parameters for the development of a PET-CT score were: nodular pleural thickening, pleural nodules with SUV>7.5, lung mass or extra pleural malignancy (10 points each), mammary lymph node with SUV>4.5 (5 points) and cardiomegaly (−1 point). With a cut-off value of >9 points in the referral cohort, the score established the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion with sensitivity 87.9%, specificity 90.7%, positive predictive value 88.9%, negative predictive value 89.9%, positive likelihood ratio 7.81 and negative likelihood ratio 0.106. These results were validated in an independent prospective cohort of 75 patients. Conclusions PET-CT score was shown to provide relevant information for the identification of malignant pleural effusion (AU)

Antecedentes y objetivos Los estudios PET-TAC previos en el análisis del derrame pleural son contradictorios. Nuestro objetivo es desarrollar una puntuación mediante PET-TAC para diferenciar entre derrames benignos y malignos. Pacientes y métodos Estudio prospectivo en pacientes con derrame pleural a los que se realizó una PET-TAC desde octubre de 2013 hasta octubre de 2019 (cohorte de referencia). Los datos analizados fueron: engrosamiento lineal; engrosamiento nodular; nódulos; masas; engrosamiento circunferencial; afectación pleural mediastínica y cisural; ganglios linfáticos torácicos; loculación pleural; consolidación; calcificación pleural; cardiomegalia; derrame pericárdico; derrame bilateral; masa pulmonar; metástasis hepáticas y otras neoplasias malignas extrapleurales. Se calculó el SUV de todos estos parámetros. Los resultados se validaron en una cohorte independiente. Resultados Se incluyó a 199 pacientes en la cohorte de referencia (91 derrames malignos y 108 benignos). Los parámetros que mostraron más utilidad para discriminar ambos derrames y desarrollar una puntuación fueron: engrosamiento pleural nodular, nódulos pleurales con SUV > 7,5, masa pulmonar o malignidad extrapleural (10 puntos cada uno), ganglio en cadena mamaria con SUV > 4,5 (5 puntos) y cardiomegalia (–1 punto). Con un punto de corte > 9 en la cohorte de derivación, se estableció el diagnóstico de derrame pleural maligno con una sensibilidad del 87,9%, especificidad del 90,7%, valor predictivo positivo del 88,9%, valor predictivo negativo del 89,9% razón de verosimilitud positiva del 7,81 y razón de verosimilitud negativa del 0,106. Estos resultados fueron validados en una cohorte prospectiva independiente de 75 pacientes. Conclusiones Una puntuación basada en PET-TAC proporciona información relevante para el diagnóstico del derrame pleural maligno (AU)

A PET-CT score for discriminating malignant from benign pleural effusions.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The results of previous PET-CT studies are contradictory for discriminating malignant from benign pleural effusions. We purpose to develop a PET-CT score for differentiating between benign and malignant effusions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of consecutive patients with pleural effusions undergoing PET-CT from October 2013 to October 2019 (referral cohort). PET-CT scan features evaluated using the SUV were: linear thickening; nodular thickening; nodules; masses; circumferential thickening; mediastinal and fissural pleural involvement; intrathoracic lymph nodes; pleural loculation; inflammatory consolidation; pleural calcification; cardiomegaly; pericardial effusion; bilateral effusion; lung mass; liver metastasis and other extra-pleural malignancy. The results were validated in an independent prospective cohort from November 2019 to June 2021. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-nine patients were enrolled in the referral cohort (91 with malignant effusions and 108 benign). The most useful parameters for the development of a PET-CT score were: nodular pleural thickening, pleural nodules with SUV>7.5, lung mass or extra pleural malignancy (10 points each), mammary lymph node with SUV>4.5 (5 points) and cardiomegaly (-1 point). With a cut-off value of >9 points in the referral cohort, the score established the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion with sensitivity 87.9%, specificity 90.7%, positive predictive value 88.9%, negative predictive value 89.9%, positive likelihood ratio 7.81 and negative likelihood ratio 0.106. These results were validated in an independent prospective cohort of 75 patients. CONCLUSIONS: PET-CT score was shown to provide relevant information for the identification of malignant pleural effusion.

Population pharmacokinetic modelling of fibrinogen in patients with congenital or acquired-chronic or acute-hypofibrinogenaemia.

AIMS: Fibrinogen is the key substrate for coagulation. Fibrinogen pharmacokinetics (PK) after single doses of fibrinogen concentrate (FC), using modelling approaches, has only been evaluated in congenital afibrinogenaemic patients. The aims of this study are to characterize the fibrinogen PK in patients with acquired-chronic (cirrhosis) or acute-hypofibrinogenaemia (critical haemorrhage), showing endogenous production. Influencing factors of differences on the fibrinogen PK between subpopulations will be identified. METHODS: A total of 428 time-concentration values from 132 patients were recorded. Eighty-two out of 428 values were from 41 cirrhotic patients administered with placebo and 90 out of 428 were from 45 cirrhotic patients that were given FC, 161 out of 428 values were from 14 afibrinogenaemic patients and 95 out of 428 values were from 32 severe acute trauma haemorrhagic patients. A turnover model that accounted for endogenous production and exogenous dose was fitted using NONMEM74. The production rate (Ksyn), distribution volume (V), plasma clearance (CL) and concentration yielding to 50% of maximal fibrinogen production (EC50) were estimated. RESULTS: Fibrinogen disposition was described by a one-compartment model with CL and V values of 0.0456 L·h-1 and 4.34 L·70 kg-1 , respectively. Body weight was statistically significant in V. Three different Ksyn values were identified that increased from 0.00439 g·h-1 (afibrinogenaemia), to 0.0768 g·h-1 (cirrhotics) and 0.1160 g·h-1 (acute severe trauma). EC50 was of 0.460 g·L-1 . CONCLUSIONS: This model will be key as a support tool for dose calculation to achieve specified target fibrinogen concentrations, in each of the studied populations.

High intrapatient variability of tacrolimus exposure associated with poorer outcomes in liver transplantation.

Tacrolimus (TAC) is a dose-dependent immunosuppressor with considerable intrapatient variability (IPV) in its pharmacokinetics. The aim of this work is to ascertain the association between TAC IPV at 6 months after liver transplantation (LT) and patient outcome. This single-center cohort study retrospectively analyzed adult patients who underwent transplantation from 2015 to 2019 who survived the first 6 months with a functioning graft. The primary end point was the patient's probability of death and the secondary outcome was the loss of renal function between month 6 and the last follow-up. TAC IPV was estimated by calculating the coefficient of variation (CV) of the dose-corrected concentration (C0 /D) between the third and sixth months post-LT. Of the 140 patients who underwent LT included in the study, the low-variability group (C0 /D CV < 27%) comprised 105 patients and the high-variability group (C0 /D CV ≥ 27%) 35 patients. One-, 3-, and 5-year patient survival rates were 100%, 82%, and 72% in the high-variability group versus 100%, 97%, and 93% in the low-variability group, respectively (p = 0.005). Moreover, significant impaired renal function was observed in the high-variability group at 1 year (69 ± 16 ml/min/1.73 m2 vs. 78 ± 16 ml/min/1.73 m2 , p = 0.004) and at 2 years post-LT (69 ± 17 ml/min/1.73 m2 vs. 77 ± 15 ml/min/1.73 m2 , p = 0.03). High C0 /D CV 3-6 months remained independently associated with worse survival (hazard ratio = 3.57, 95% CI = 1.32-9.67, p = 0.012) and loss of renal function (odds ratio = 3.47, 95% CI = 1.30-9.20, p = 0.01). Therefore, high IPV between the third and sixth months appears to be an early and independent predictor of patients with poorer liver transplant outcomes.

Integrating electronic health data records to develop and validate a predictive model of hospital-acquired acute kidney injury in non-critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND: Models developed to predict hospital-acquired acute kidney injury (HA-AKI) in non-critically ill patients have a low sensitivity, do not include dynamic changes of risk factors and do not allow the establishment of a time relationship between exposure to risk factors and AKI. We developed and externally validated a predictive model of HA-AKI integrating electronic health databases and recording the exposure to risk factors prior to the detection of AKI. METHODS: The study set was 36 852 non-critically ill hospitalized patients admitted from January to December 2017. Using stepwise logistic analyses, including demography, chronic comorbidities and exposure to risk factors prior to AKI detection, we developed a multivariate model to predict HA-AKI. This model was then externally validated in 21 545 non-critical patients admitted to the validation centre in the period from June 2017 to December 2018. RESULTS: The incidence of AKI in the study set was 3.9%. Among chronic comorbidities, the highest odds ratios (ORs) were conferred by chronic kidney disease, urologic disease and liver disease. Among acute complications, the highest ORs were associated with acute respiratory failure, anaemia, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, circulatory shock and major surgery. The model showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.907 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.902-0.908), a sensitivity of 82.7 (95% CI 80.7-84.6) and a specificity of 84.2 (95% CI 83.9-84.6) to predict HA-AKI, with an adequate goodness-of-fit for all risk categories (χ2 = 6.02, P = 0.64). In the validation set, the prevalence of AKI was 3.2%. The model showed an AUC of 0.905 (95% CI 0.904-0.910), a sensitivity of 81.2 (95% CI 79.2-83.1) and a specificity of 82.5 (95% CI 82.2-83) to predict HA-AKI and had an adequate goodness-of-fit for all risk categories (χ2 = 4.2, P = 0.83). An online tool (predaki.amalfianalytics.com) is available to calculate the risk of AKI in other hospital environments. CONCLUSIONS: By using electronic health data records, our study provides a model that can be used in clinical practice to obtain an accurate dynamic and updated assessment of the individual risk of HA-AKI during the hospital admission period in non-critically ill patients.

Development and Validation of a Model to Predict Severe Hospital-Acquired Acute Kidney Injury in Non-Critically Ill Patients.

BACKGROUND: The current models developed to predict hospital-acquired AKI (HA-AKI) in non-critically ill fail to identify the patients at risk of severe HA-AKI stage 3. OBJECTIVE: To develop and externally validate a model to predict the individual probability of developing HA-AKI stage 3 through the integration of electronic health databases. METHODS: Study set: 165,893 non-critically ill hospitalized patients. Using stepwise logistic regression analyses, including demography, chronic comorbidities, and exposure to risk factors prior to AKI detection, we developed a multivariate model to predict HA-AKI stage 3. This model was then externally validated in 43,569 non-critical patients admitted to the validation center. RESULTS: The incidence of HA-AKI stage 3 in the study set was 0.6%. Among chronic comorbidities, the highest odds ratios were conferred by ischemic heart disease, ischemic cerebrovascular disease, chronic congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease and liver disease. Among acute complications, the highest odd ratios were associated with acute respiratory failure, major surgery and exposure to nephrotoxic drugs. The model showed an AUC of 0.906 (95% CI 0.904 to 0.908), a sensitivity of 89.1 (95% CI 87.0-91.0) and a specificity of 80.5 (95% CI 80.2-80.7) to predict HA-AKI stage 3, but tended to overestimate the risk at low-risk categories with an adequate goodness-of-fit for all risk categories (Chi2: 16.4, p: 0.034). In the validation set, incidence of HA-AKI stage 3 was 0.62%. The model showed an AUC of 0.861 (95% CI 0.859-0.863), a sensitivity of 83.0 (95% CI 80.5-85.3) and a specificity of 76.5 (95% CI 76.2-76.8) to predict HA-AKI stage 3 with an adequate goodness of fit for all risk categories (Chi2: 15.42, p: 0.052). CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides a model that can be used in clinical practice to obtain an accurate dynamic assessment of the individual risk of HA-AKI stage 3 along the hospital stay period in non-critically ill patients.

Myositis and myasteniform syndrome related to pembrolizumab.

This case report concerns a 63-year-old man affected by metastatic undifferentiated liposarcoma. After receiving pembrolizumab as a second-line treatment in a clinical trial, the patient experienced an immune-mediated myocarditis, myositis and myasteniform syndrome. The last two adverse events showed significant clinical relevance in terms of severity, duration and the required specific treatment.Initial treatment approach consisted in pulses of 1 g of methylprednisolone, followed by 2 mg/kg/day, with clinical improvement. After 12 days, the immune-mediated myasteniform syndrome worsened, with dysphagia, dysphonia, bilateral palpebral ptosis and respiratory difficulty. Due to the refractoriness to glucocorticoid treatment, it was decided to initiate intravenous immunoglobulin at 2 g/kg, followed by 2 mg/kg every 4 weeks once discharged and mycophenolate 500 mg/12 hours, in order to reduce the dose of glucocorticoids.After 2 months, the patient presented an optimal clinical evolution, without muscular weakness and referred to an improvement in dysphagia and speech.

Efficacy and Safety of PCSK9 Inhibitors in Hypercholesterolemia Associated With Refractory Nephrotic Syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of hypercholesterolemia in refractory nephrotic syndrome remains a therapeutic challenge. There is not enough evidence supporting the efficacy of statins, and these drugs can be associated with an increased incidence of adverse effects. Herein we summarize our clinical experience with 12 patients suffering from refractory nephrotic syndrome with associated vascular disease and uncontrolled hypercholesterolemia despite treatment with statins who were treated with proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors. METHODS: Twelve adult patients with primary nephrotic syndrome refractory to multiple lines of immunosuppressive treatment who suffered from clinical atheromatous vascular disease were treated with PCSK9 inhibitors according to the prescription guidelines for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. Eight patients with refractory nephrotic syndrome without vascular disease treated with atorvastatin comprised the control group. RESULTS: Four weeks after treatment with PCSK9 inhibitors, a statistically significant decrease in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels was observed without significant changes in serum albumin levels or proteinuria. The mean LDL-C decrease was 36.8% ± 4.9% mmol/L at 4 weeks and remained unchanged throughout the follow-up period. In the control group, there were no significant changes in the levels of total cholesterol or LDL-C during the follow-up period. At the diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome, plasma PCSK9 levels were 334 ± 40 ng/mL and correlated significantly with serum LDL-C levels (r = 0.49, P = 0.023). Six months after starting treatment with PCSK9 inhibitors, plasma PCSK9 levels were significantly reduced to values of 190 ± 36 ng/mL (P = 0.001) with a mean relative reduction of 42.3% ± 12.6%. No local adverse effects were seen at the injection site and no significant changes were seen in the levels of transaminase, creatine phosphokinase, or aldolase. CONCLUSION: PCSK9 inhibitors may be an effective and safe alternative for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia associated with refractory nephrotic syndrome.

COVID-19 in Solid Organ Transplantation: A Matched Retrospective Cohort Study and Evaluation of Immunosuppression Management.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of solid organ transplant (SOT) patients during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic remains unclear. We conducted a matched retrospective cohort study to compare clinical outcomes among SOT recipients with the general population and to assess immunosuppression management. METHODS: Adult SOT recipients with laboratory polymerase chain reaction-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to a tertiary-care hospital in Barcelona, Spain, from March 11 to April 25, 2020, were matched to controls (1:4) on the basis of sex, age, and age-adjusted Charlson's Index. Patients were followed for up to 28 days from admission or until censored. Primary endpoint was mortality at 28 days. Secondary endpoints included admission to the intensive care unit and secondary complications. Drug-drug interactions (DDI) between immunosuppressants and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) management medication were collected. RESULTS: Forty-six transplant recipients and 166 control patients were included. Mean (SD) age of transplant recipients and controls was 62.7 (12.6) and 66.0 (12.7) years, 33 (71.7%) and 122 (73.5%) were male, and median (interquartile range) Charlson's Index was 5 (3-7) and 4 (2-7), respectively. Mortality was 37.0% in SOT recipients and 22.9% in controls (P = 0.51). Thirty-three (71.7%) patients underwent transitory discontinuation of immunosuppressants due to potential or confirmed DDI. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, hospitalized SOT recipients with COVID-19 had a trend toward higher mortality compared with controls, although it was not statistically significant, and a notable propensity for DDI.

Thoracic CT Scan vs PET-TC Imaging in the Diagnosis of Patients Suffering Exudative Pleural Effusions with Suspicion of Malignancy / TC de tórax vs. PET/TC en el diagnóstico de pacientes que sufren derrame pleural exudativo con sospecha de neoplasia maligna

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Topical Administration of Bosentan Prevents Retinal Neurodegeneration in Experimental Diabetes.

Experimental evidence suggests that endothelin 1 (ET-1) is involved in the development of retinal microvascular abnormalities induced by diabetes. The effects of ET-1 are mediated by endothelin A- and B-receptors (ETA and ETB). Endothelin B-receptors activation mediates retinal neurodegeneration but there are no data regarding the effectiveness of ETB receptor blockage in arresting retinal neurodegeneration induced by diabetes. The main aim of the present study was to assess the usefulness of topical administration of bosentan (a dual endothelin receptor antagonist) in preventing retinal neurodegeneration in diabetic (db/db) mice. For this purpose, db/db mice aged 10 weeks were treated with one drop of bosentan (5 mg/mL, n = 6) or vehicle (n = 6) administered twice daily for 14 days. Six non-diabetic (db/+) mice matched by age were included as the control group. Glial activation was evaluated by immunofluorescence using specific antibodies against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL method. A pharmacokinetic study was performed in rabbits. We found that topical administration of bosentan resulted in a significant decrease of reactive gliosis and apoptosis. The results of the pharmacokinetic study suggested that bosentan reached the retina through the trans-scleral route. We conclude that topical administration of bosentan was effective in preventing neurodegeneration in the diabetic retina and, therefore, could be a good candidate to be tested in clinical trials.

Eradication Therapy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis.

BACKGROUND: No prospective study has assessed eradication treatment of early Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonisation in bronchiectasis not due to cystic fibrosis (CF). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of 3 months of nebulised tobramycin after a short course of intravenous antibiotics in the eradication of P. aeruginosa and its clinical consequences in non- CF bronchiectasis following initial P. aeruginosa infection. METHODS: A 15-month, single-masked, randomised study including 35 patients was conducted in a tertiary university hospital. Following the isolation of P. aeruginosa and a 14-day intravenous treatment with ceftazidime and tobramycin, patients received 300 mg nebulised tobramycin twice daily or placebo during 3 months, and were followed up for 12 months thereafter. RESULTS: The median time to recurrence of P. aeruginosa infection was higher in the tobramycin than in the placebo group (p = 0.048, log-rank test). At the end of the study 54.5% of the patients were free of P. aeruginosa in the tobramycin group and 29.4% in the placebo group. The numbers of exacerbations (p = 0.044), hospital admissions (p = 0.037) and days of hospitalisation (p = 0.034) were lower in the tobramycin than in the placebo group. A global, non-significant trend to improvement in the tobramycin group was observed in most of the other studied parameters on comparing the two groups. Bronchospasm in the tobramycin group was remarkable. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that 3 months of nebulised tobramycin following a short course of intravenous antibiotics may prevent bronchial infection with P. aeruginosa and has a favourable clinical impact on non-CF bronchiectasis.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with non-contact soft tissue injuries in elite professional soccer players: influence on degree of injury and recovery time.

BACKGROUND: The biological mechanisms involved in non-contact musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries (NCMSTI) are poorly understood. Genetic risk factors may be associated with susceptibility to injuries, and may exert marked influence on recovery times. METHODS: Data on type and degree of injury and recovery time were collected in 73 male professional soccer players (43 White, 11 Black Africans and 19 Hispanics) who suffered total of 242 injuries (203 muscle, 24 ligament, and 15 tendon injuries). One single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) in the following genes were analyzed: Elastin (ELN); Titin (TTN); SRY-related HMG-box (SOX15); Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2); Chemokine, CC motif, ligand 2 (CCL2); Collagen type 1 alpha 1(COL1A1); Collagen type 5 alpha 1 (COL5A1), and Tenascin C (TNC). RESULTS: There was evidence of a statistically significant association between the degree of injury and the IGF2 genotype (P = 0.034). In addition, there was evidence of a statistically significant association between the degree of muscle injury and CCL2 (P = 0.026) Finally, there was evidence of a statistically significant association between ELN and degree of injury (p = 0.009) and recovery time (P = 0.043). There was no evidence of a statistically significant association between any of the genes studied and degree of injury or recovery time for tendon injuries. CONCLUSION: SNPs in the IGF2, CCL2, and ELN genes may be associated to the degree and recovery time of NCMSTI.

Successful treatment of membranous glomerulonephritis with rituximab in calcineurin inhibitor-dependent patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) induce remission of proteinuria in most nephrotic patients with membranous glomerulonephropathy (MGN). However, 60% of patients become treatment dependent and are at risk of chronic nephrotoxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of rituximab in patients with long-term dependence on CNIs. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND MEASUREMENTS: Thirteen patients with MGN, normal renal function, and proven dependence on CNIs, despite previous treatment with other immunosuppressant drugs, received a single trial of four weekly doses of rituximab (375 mg/m(2)). Outcome measures were the percentage of patients with CNI withdrawal and no evidence of relapse and the percentage of patients with complete or partial remission 30 mo after CNI withdrawal. RESULTS: After rituximab, proteinuria decreased significantly (2.5 +/- 0,76 basal versus 0.85 +/- 0.17 at 6 mo; P = .0003). CNIs and other immunosuppressant drugs could be withdrawn in all patients with no evidence of relapse. After CNI withdrawal, GFR increased significantly (90.3 +/- 15 basal to 106.4 +/- 20 at 3 mo with a mean increase of 15.3% [range 0-20]). Three patients suffered a relapse of nephrotic proteinuria 19, 23, and 28 mo after rituximab treatment; all were successfully treated with a second course of rituximab. At 30 mo, all patients were in remission. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with MGN with long-term CNI dependence, rituximab can be an effective tool to overcome dependence on CNI, thus avoiding the risk of nephrotoxicity related to the chronic exposure to these drugs.