Disseminated Cutaneous Mucormycosis Developing in Peristomal Pyoderma Gangrenosum.

A patient on long-term glucocorticoid therapy for peristomal pyoderma gangrenosum (PPG) who developed mucormycosis (MM) of the wound with dissemination was presented. The importance of skin biopsy, together with clinical evaluation in patients with PPG who are resistant to conventional therapy or who develop new symptoms related to their PPG is stressed. The risk and pathogenesis of invasive fungal infections with long-term corticosteroid therapy were explored. The epidemiology and detection of mucormycosis is discussed in this article.

Moyamoya-Like Vasculopathy and Orbital Trauma: An Association.

An Asian man in his 20s developed asymptomatic ipsilateral moyamoya-like vascular changes following orbital and head trauma. An ipsilateral traumatic optic neuropathy with extensive optic cupping ensued. The complex embryology of the ocular vascular development is reviewed as having a potential causative role in the intracranial carotid vasculopathy.

The relationship between spider naevi & de novo arteriovenous malformations in chronic liver disease.

We report a patient with decompensated alcoholic liver cirrhosis (Child-Turcotte-Pugh class C) who developed a de novo left frontal cerebral AVM and a subcutaneous left temporal scalp spider naevus. Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are vascular abnormalities previously thought to be congenital in nature, although new research has revealed the potential for de novo AVM formation through a two-hit hypothesis. We propose that the oestrogen-rich environment seen in chronic liver disease could act as the second hit to allow for an angiogenic state favouring de novo AVM development. We also postulate that spider naevi are formed through a similar mechanism and may represent early-stage AVMs.

Nivolumab-associated myositis myocarditis and myasthenia and anti-striated muscle antibodies.

An 82-year-old man was treated with neo-adjuvant nivolumab (programmed cell death protein 1 or PD-1 inhibitor) for local recurrence of melanoma developed myositis, myocarditis and a myasthenic-like syndrome with a fatal outcome. The occurrence of these three conditions may constitute a new immune checkpoint-induced syndrome. The relevance of the clinical features and the immunology is discussed. This case highlights the special role of anti-striated muscle antibodies as a predictor of mortality.

Checkpoint inhibitor myasthenia-like syndrome and myositis associated with extraocular muscle atrophy.

A patient with metastatic melanoma developed myasthenia-like syndrome and paraspinal myositis with subsequent extraocular muscle atrophy associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment. MRI scan of the ocular muscles on admission was normal, however 3 months later revealed significant extraocular muscle atrophy.

Human Fetal Tissue from Elective Abortions in Research and Medicine: Science, Ethics, and the Law.

Since the U.S. Supreme Court issued its landmark decision in 1973 to legalize abortion, over 60 million preborn have been killed by elective abortion. While alive in the womb, these preborn are abandoned and not protected under current law. But once aborted, their body parts are a highly esteemed and prized commodity amongst certain members of the scientific community. Moral discourse is disregarded for the sake of science. The public have been lulled and lured into believing that this practice must continue in order to understand and develop cures for some of the most debilitating diseases of our day. But they are mistaken. This practice is not necessary, especially in light of numerous noncontroversial alternatives. Here, we expose and consider the false and misleading claims regarding human fetal tissue (HFT) in research from scientific, legal, and ethical points of view. We endeavor deeply to understand the depth of the injustice in this practice and what forces promote and maintain it; and by revealing and understanding these forces, we set forth how these inhumane practices can be ended. An accurate portrayal of the history of HFT use in research is provided, along with a close examination of the current state of this practice under existing laws. The serious societal implications are also discussed, which will worsen beyond comprehension if these practices are allowed to continue. The timeliness of this information cannot be overstated, and a thorough understanding is paramount for anyone who desires to know the facts about HFT in research and medicine and its detrimental impact for humanity.

A novel topical therapy for resistant and early peristomal pyoderma gangrenosum.

Peristomal pyoderma gangrenosum (PPG) is an under-recognised and difficult condition to treat. We describe a case series using a novel topical combination therapy that promotes wound healing and allows for adhesion of the stoma appliance. A crushed oral prednisolone tablet mixed with Stomahesive Protective Powder (ConvaTec) was applied topically to seven patients with PPG and resulted in pain relief and wound healing in six of seven patients. Only one patient experienced recurrence. The novel topical therapy we describe is cost-effective, readily available, and easily applied in any inpatient or outpatient setting.

The Auckland alcohol detoxification outcome study: Measuring changes in quality of life in individuals completing a medicated withdrawal from alcohol in a detoxification unit.

AIM: To measure outcomes in Quality of Life in alcohol dependent patients' following a medicated withdrawal from alcohol. METHODS: 79 patients that were admitted to a detoxification unit in Auckland, New Zealand between March 2016 and September 2016 were assessed for severity of alcohol dependence using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and Severity of Alcohol Dependency Questionnaire (SADQ) and Quality of Life (QOL) using the World Health Organisation Quality of Life-abbreviated version of the WHOQOL 100 New Zealand version (WHOQOL-BREF NZ). Patients were followed up at three months and 12 months and an estimate of drinking behavior and the WHO-QOL BREF NZ were completed via telephone interview. QOL domain scores were assessed from baseline to three months and baseline to 12 months in both relapse and abstinent groups. At three months, a single question was asked in order to collect qualitative data. RESULTS: At baseline, the study population had statistically significantly lower mean QOL domain scores than scores reported from the general population. QOL improved in patients following detoxification at three months and 12 months in both the relapse and abstinent groups; however, the change in scores from baseline was greater in the abstinent group compared to the relapse group. The majority of patients reported that the admission had been a positive experience. CONCLUSION: QOL improves in individuals following a medicated withdrawal from alcohol regardless of whether individual's relapse; however, those that remain abstinent have greater improvements in quality of life.

Intravenous minocycline in acute stroke: a randomized, controlled pilot study and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Minocycline, in animal models and 2 small randomized controlled human trials, is a promising neuroprotective agent in acute stroke. We analyzed the efficacy and safety of intravenous minocycline in acute ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. METHODS: A multicenter prospective randomized open-label blinded end point evaluation pilot study of minocycline 100 mg administered intravenously, commenced within 24 hours of onset of stroke, and continued 12 hourly for a total of 5 doses, versus no minocycline. All participants received routine stroke care. Primary end point was survival free of handicap (modified Rankin Scale, ≤2) at day 90. RESULTS: Ninety-five participants were randomized; 47 to minocycline and 48 to no minocycline. In the intention-to-treat population, 29 of 47 (65.9%) allocated minocycline survived free of handicap compared with 33 of 48 (70.2%) allocated no minocycline (rate ratio, 0.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.71-1.25 and odds ratio, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.31-1.71). A meta-analysis of the 3 human trials suggests minocycline may increase the odds of handicap-free survival by 3-fold (odds ratio, 2.99; 95% CI, 1.74-5.16) but there was substantial heterogeneity among the trials. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study of a small sample of acute stroke patients, intravenous minocycline was safe but not efficacious. The study was not powered to identify reliably or exclude a modest but clinically important treatment effect of minocycline. Larger trials would improve the precision of the estimates of any treatment effect of minocycline. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION URL: http://www.anzctr.org.au. Unique identifier: ACTRN12612000237886.

A retrospective audit of family history records in short-stay medical admissions.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively review the frequency and adequacy of family histories recorded from patients admitted to a short-stay medical unit in a tertiary teaching hospital. DESIGN, SETTING AND PATIENTS: A formal audit of the medical records of 300 randomly selected patients who were admitted to the Royal Perth Hospital short-stay medical unit between July and December 2007. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Proportion of patient records with family history documents. RESULTS: Of the 300 patient records, 48 (16.0%) contained a family history with specific details about the presence or absence of a medical condition in at least one relative. Overall, 221 records (73.7%) had no family history documented. There was a trend towards more frequent and detailed family histories being recorded from younger patients and those presenting with chest pain. CONCLUSIONS: Family history was seldom documented in patients admitted to a short-stay medical unit in a tertiary teaching hospital. An increased focus on family history taking among acutely ill patients offers potential health gains for patients and their high-risk relatives, particularly as preventive or risk-reducing health care strategies are emerging for a growing number of heritable disorders.

Current science of regenerative medicine with stem cells.

Regenerative medicine with stem cells holds great hope for the treatment of degenerative disease. The medical potential of embryonic stem cells remains relatively untapped at this point, and significant scientific hurdles remain to be overcome before these cells might be considered safe and effective for uses in patients. Meanwhile, adult stem cells have begun to show significant capabilities of their own in repair of damaged tissues, in both animal models and early patient trials.