The Other Infodemic: Media Misinformation about Involuntary Commitment for Substance Use.

BACKGROUND: As drug-related deaths have surged, the number and scope of legal mechanisms authorizing involuntary commitment for substance use have expanded. Media coverage of involuntary commitment routinely ignores documented health and ethical concerns. Prevalence and dynamics of misinformation about involuntary commitment for substance use have not been assessed. METHODS: Media content mentioning involuntary commitment for substance use published between January 2015 and October 2020 was aggregated using MediaCloud. Articles were redundantly coded for viewpoints presented, substances mentioned, discussion of incarceration, and mentions of specific drugs. In addition, we tracked Facebook shares of coded content. RESULTS: Nearly half (48%) of articles unequivocally endorsed involuntary commitment, 30% presented a mixed viewpoint, and 22% endorsed a health-based or rights-based critique. Only 7% of articles included perspectives of people with lived experience of involuntary commitment. Critical articles received nearly twice as many Facebook shares (199,909 shares) as supportive and mixed narratives combined (112,429 shares combined). DISCUSSION: Empirical and ethical concerns about involuntary commitment for substance use are largely absent from coverage in mainstream media, as are voices of those with lived experience. Better alignment between news coverage and science is vital to inform effective policy responses to emerging public health challenges.

Omega-3 fatty acids supplements for dry eye - Are they effective or ineffective?

Purpose: To evaluate effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acid supplements in relieving dry eye symptoms and signs in symptomatic visual display terminal users (VDT). Methods: A randomized controlled study was done; eyes of 470 VDT users were randomized to receive four capsules twice daily for 6 months (O3FAgroup), each containing 180 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid. The O3FA group was compared with another group (n = 480) who received four capsules of a placebo (olive oil) twice daily. Patients were evaluated at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. The primary outcome was improvement in omega-3 index (a measure of EPA and DHA ratio in RBC membrane). Secondary outcomes were improvement dry eye symptoms, Nelson grade on conjunctival impression cytology, Schirmer test values, tear film breakup time (TBUT), and tear film osmolarity. Means of groups (pre-treatment, 1, 3, and 6-months) were compared with repeated measure analysis of variance. Results: At baseline, 81% patients had low omega-3 index. In the O3FA group, a significant increase in omega-3 index, improvement in symptoms, reduction in tear film osmolarity, and increase in Schirmer, TBUT, and goblet cell density was observed. These changes were not significant in the placebo group. Improvement in test parameters was significantly (P < 0.001) better in patients with low omega3 index (<4%) subgroup. Conclusion: Dietary omega-3 fatty acids are effective for dry eye in VDT users; omega-3 index appears to be the predictor to identify potential dry eye patients who are likely to benefit from oral omega-3 dietary intervention.

Long-term outcomes of small-incision cataract surgery in patients with uveitis.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) in eyes with uveitis. Methods: Patients who underwent MSICS for uveitic cataract from 2009 to 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. Visually significant cataract and presence of less than five cells per high-power field in the anterior chamber for a minimum of 3 months were the prerequisites for surgery. Patients with follow-up less than 9 months were excluded. Results: After exclusion, 283 eyes of 264 patients were evaluated. The mean age of patients was 44.3 ± 11.3 years. The mean follow-up duration was 22 ± 11.5 months. The mean surgical time was 11.2 ± 3.2 min. One hundred and seventy-two eyes (60.8%) had anterior uveitis, 78 (27.5%) had posterior uveitis, and 33 (11.7%) had panuveitis. At the final follow-up, 253 eyes (88.4%) had corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) better than 0.6 log of minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) unit. The final endothelial cell counts were significantly (analysis of variance [ANOVA], P = 0.001) lower in eyes with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27-associated uveitis and in eyes with idiopathic anterior uveitis. Patients on systemic corticosteroids had significantly better (P = 0.031) final visual acuity than those without preoperative corticosteroids. Recurrent uveitis (43.8%), Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) (19.4%), glaucoma (8.5%), cystoid macular edema (CME; 13.5%), and Epiretinal membrane (ERM) (5.6%) were the frequent complications. A significantly worse (ANOVA, P = 0.001) visual prognosis was seen in patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH), sarcoidosis, acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy (APMPPE), and serpiginous choroiditis. Conclusion: MSICS is safe in most cataracts due to uveitis and results in improvement in CDVA at 9 months. Posterior capsule opacification, macular edema, persistent uveitis, etiology of uveitis, and use of preoperative steroids significantly influenced the visual outcome.

Safety and efficacy of cyclosporine (0.05% versus 0.09%) in dry eye disease. Is it the strength of cyclosporin that really matters?

INTRODUCTION: This is a multicenter, randomized, interventional, double masked study aimed to compare safety and efficacy of cyclosporine (0.05% versus 0.09%) in dry eye disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Random allocation of patients (n=450) was done in two groups by parallel assignment (1:1). Group1(n=225) received CAs 0.05% drops twice daily, and group 2 (n=225) received CAs 0.09% drops twice daily for 3 months. Primary outcomes were changes from baseline in Lissamine green staining score, Nelson grade on conjunctival impression cytology and tear film osmolarity. Secondary outcomes were changes in dry eye symptom score. Schirmer's test scores, changes in corneal fluorescein staining and changes in tear film break up time. RESULTS: Within the groups, there was a significant improvement (ANOVA, P<0.05) in tear film osmolarity, lissamine green staining score, dry eye symptom score, corneal fluorescein staining and Schirmer test scores over 3 months of intervention. However, the difference in Nelson Grade, goblet cell density, and tear film break-up time was not statistically significant. Between the groups, there was a significantly better improvement in tear film osmolarity (ANOVA, P<0.001), Lissamine green staining score (ANOVA, P=0.002), corneal fluorescein staining (ANOVA, P=0.011), dry eye symptoms (ANOVA, P=0.040) and Schirmer test scores (ANOVA, P=0.001) with CAs 0.09%. However, the improvement in Nelson grade, tear film break-up time was not significantly different between the two groups. The overall patient's comfort was significantly better over time in patients on CAs 0.05% (ANOVA, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Increasing strength of CAs better improves corneal staining, tear production, tear film osmolarity but not conjunctival morphology and tear film stability.

Outcomes of COVID-19 in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients: Multicenter Retrospective Analysis.

COVID-19, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 9, 2020. Hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients may be highly susceptible to infection and related pulmonary complications due to nascent immune systems or organ damage from treatment-related toxicities. Poor outcomes in such group of patients were linked to older age, steroid therapy at the time of COVID-19 infection, and COVID-19 infection within a year of HSCT. We studied a cohort of 28 hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients (male 17, M:F ratio of 1.5) with COVID-19 infection from 1st June 2020, through 31st December 2020 for outcome. Fever was the most common symptom at the time of presentation in 22 (78.5%) patients. Mortality rate at Day 28 and Day 42 was found to be 4/28 (14.3%) and 7/28 (25%) respectively. Patients within one year of HSCT and severe infection had higher day 28 mortality (with p values = 0.038)". There was no relation of mortality with type of transplant.

Encouraging Outcomes of Alternate Donor Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant in Pediatric High-risk/Relapsed Leukemias: A Single Center Experience.

Outcomes of high-risk and relapsed pediatric acute leukemias continue to be suboptimal. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only curative modality. However, <30% of patients have matched sibling donors available. Hence, alternate donors (matched unrelated and haploidentical) are being used to improve outcomes. We retrospectively analyzed our data of all children with high-risk/relapsed acute leukemias who underwent alternate donor HSCT at our center from April 2015 to July 2020. A total of 15 patients were included-3 underwent matched unrelated and 12 underwent haploidentical HSCT. Before HSCT, all patients were in complete remission (CR): CR1-1, CR2-11, and CR3-3. All patients engrafted except one. Median time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment was 15 and 16 days, respectively. There were 3 transplant related mortalities. One patient was lost to follow-up. Remaining 11 patients remain in remission and are alive. The cumulative incidence of acute graft versus host disease was 57.1% and of chronic graft versus host disease was 21.4%. Overall survival was 80% and the event-free survival was 73.3%. The median follow-up of alive patients was 775 days (range: 333 to 2077 d). Our experience shows encouraging outcomes using alternate donor HSCT for these patients from developing world.

Convalescent plasma therapy for severe Covid-19 in patients with hematological malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Data on convalescent plasma therapy (CPT) in patients of hematological malignancies with severe Covid-19 is scarce. OBJECTIVE: To study 14-day mortality in patients who received CPT. PATIENTS & METHODS: Retrospective multicentre observational study conducted in 4 centres treating haematological malignancies across Delhi-national capital region. Total 33 haematological malignancies patients with severe Covid-19 who received CPT were analysed. RESULTS: The median age of the study cohort was 62 years (18-80 years). Twenty one percent patients had 1 comorbidity, 18 % had 2 comorbidities and 6% patients had 3 and 5 comorbidities each. Twenty four patients were on active therapy. Sixty nine percent of patients required ICU stay. Twenty five patients received plasma therapy within 7 days (early) of diagnosis of Covid-19 infection. Median day of plasma infusion from date of diagnosis of Covid-19 infection was 4 days (range: 2-25 days). Patient who had early initiation of plasma therapy had shorter duration of hospitalisation (12.7 vs 24.3 days, p = 0.000). Overall mortality in the cohort was 45.5%. There was no effect of disease status, active therapy, presence of comorbidity on mortality. There was no difference in the mortality in patients receiving early vs late initiation of plasma therapy or in patients receiving one versus two plasma therapy. CONCLUSIONS: We provide a large series of patients with hematological malignancies and role of CPT in this group.

Haploidentical Stem Cell Transplant With Post-transplant Cyclophosphamide for Chediak-Higashi Syndrome: A Very Rare Case Report.

Chediak-Higashi syndrome is a rare immunodeficiency disorder for which hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is the only curative treatment option. HSCT only corrects the hematologic and immunologic manifestations of the disease but neurologic complications may still progress after transplant. Haploidentical HSCT (haplo-HSCT) has evolved as a feasible alternative for patients with primary immunodeficiency. More recently, there has been use of haplo-HSCT with post-transplant cyclophosphamide. However, only 4 cases of Chediak-Higashi syndrome have been reported using this approach. Here, the authors describe a case of a 17-month-old boy who was successfully treated by haplo-HSCT with reduced-toxicity conditioning (fludarabine/treosulfan/melphalan) and post-transplant cyclophosphamide.

Effect of age, comorbidity and remission status on outcome of COVID-19 in patients with hematological malignancies.

BACKGROUND: There is scarcity of data on outcome of COVID-19 in patients with hematological malignancies. Primary objective of study was to analyse the 14-day and 28-day mortality. Secondary objectives were to correlate age, comorbidities and remission status with outcome. METHODS: Retrospective multicentre observational study conducted in 11 centres across India. Total 130 patients with hematological malignancies and COVID-19 were enrolled. RESULTS: Fever and cough were commonest presentation. Eleven percent patients were incidentally detected. Median age of our cohort was 49.5 years. Most of our patients had a lymphoid malignancy (n = 91). One-half patients (52%) had mild infection, while moderate and severe infections contributed to one-fourth each. Sixty seven patients (52%) needed oxygen For treatment of COVID-19 infection, half(n = 66) received antivirals. Median time to RT-PCR COVID-19 negativity was 17 days (7-49 days). Nearly three-fourth (n = 95) of our patients were on anticancer treatment at time of infection, of which nearly two-third (n = 59;64%) had a delay in chemotherapy. Overall, 20% (n = 26) patients succumbed. 14-day survival and 28-day survival for whole cohort was 85.4% and 80%, respectively. One patient succumbed outside the study period on day 39. Importantly, death rate at 1 month was 50% and 60% in relapse/refractory and severe disease cohorts, respectively. Elderly patients(age ≥ 60) (p = 0.009), and severe COVID-19 infection (p = 0.000) had a poor 14-day survival. The 28-day survival was significantly better for patients in remission (p = 0.04), non-severe infection (p = 0.00), and age < 60 years (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients with hematological malignancy and severe covid-19 have worst outcomes specially when disease is not in remission.

Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Offer Good Outcomes in Pediatric Aplastic Anemia: Experience From Developing World.

Between 2014 and 2020, 31 patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) underwent full match allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at our center. Of the 31 patients with SAA, 19 had acquired aplastic anemia, 2 had Diamond Blackfan anemia and 10 had Fanconi anemia. Donors were either matched sibling (n=29), related donors (n=2), or unrelated donors (n=3). Peripheral blood stem cells were the graft source in all the cases except 1. Fludarabine-based reduced intensity conditioning was used in all except for patients with a diagnosis of Diamond Blackfan anemia. All patients except 1 achieved hematologic recovery in the form of neutrophil engraftment at 13 days (range, 9 to 17), whereas platelet engraftment occurred at 14 days (range, 10 to 18). Graft versus host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporine and methotrexate ±antithymocyte globulin (horse/rabbit). Acute GvHD developed in 12.9% patients, whereas no patients developed chronic GvHD till the time of last follow-up. The 2-year overall survival for the entire cohort was 93.21±4.6%. In patients with SAA, allogeneic stem cell transplant using fludarabine-based conditioning regimens are very well tolerated and have excellent outcomes in a full match setting.

Azacytidine in Newly Diagnosed FLT3-ITD-Positive Acute Myeloid Leukemia Presenting with Pneumonia: A Case Series.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive disease that predisposes the patients to infections. FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) positive AML is a type of high-risk AML. Pneumonia is a common complication in patients of AML both due to the disease itself and as a result of induction chemotherapy. Treating AML patients who present with pneumonia is a challenge as induction chemotherapy further increases the severity and mortality of pneumonia as it causes myelosuppression. We report four patients with newly diagnosed FLT3-ITD-positive AML who had pneumonia at presentation. All four cases required induction chemotherapy with 7+3 which could not be given due to their poor general condition, secondary to pneumonia. Therefore, they were given low-intensity therapy, in the form of azacytidine, to prevent further progression of AML while they were recovering from pneumonia and became well enough to tolerate intensive induction chemotherapy. This treatment strategy of using a bridge before intensive chemotherapy was successful in our patients and 3 out 4 achieved documented remission. In our opinion, patients with newly diagnosed FLT3 positive AML with pneumonia can be given low-intensity chemotherapy such as azacytidine until the remission of pneumonia for better patient outcomes.

Autologous stem cell transplant in adult multiple sclerosis patients: A study from North India.

INTRODUCTION: Autologous Stem Cell Transplant (ASCT) provides long periods of progression-free-survival in multiple sclerosis (MS). This is an observational study to demonstrate the safety of ASCT in MS patients at a transplant center in North India using a lymphoablative regimen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MS patients > 18 years referred by a neurologist or who came of their own volition were evaluated. Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score was calculated and those with a score of >7 were excluded. Informed written consent was taken. Mobilization was done with G-CSF with prednisolone to prevent disease flare-up. A minimum of 2 × 106 CD34 cells/kg was collected. Conditioning regimen consisted of rabbit ATG and cyclophosphamide. Rituximab 375 mg/m2 was given to prevent EBV reactivation and disease relapse. Antibiotic prophylaxis was given with levofloxacin, fluconazole, and valacyclovir. Any persistent change in EDSS scores ≥0.5 was considered significant. RESULTS: Twenty patients were included. Seven patients had positive urine cultures prior to transplant and were treated before starting any chemotherapy. Majority patients were women (13/20). All patients developed febrile neutropenia, which was managed as per department policy. There was no mortality. Subjective symptoms improved in all patients. EDSS score improved in 6/19 patients (5/6 with RRMS) with no disease progression in any patient at a median follow-up duration of 242 days. CONCLUSION: ASCT can be done safely for patients with relatively high EDSS scores with additional precautions for screening for infections. RRMS patients with the active disease show most improvement. SPMS patients may not show significant improvement in the short term.

Summary of the Highlights of 2019 ASTCT Meeting by iNDUS BMT Group at Chennai, India.

This article summarises the main highlights of the abstracts presented at the annual meeting of American Society of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT). The highlights of ASTCT meeting were organised by iNDUS BMT group in Chennai, India. The purpose of the highlight meeting was to educate the students about the latest research in the field of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and its applicability for the developing country perspective.

Assessment and correlation between functional and histological staging of oral submucous fibrosis: A clinicohistopathologic study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a precancerous condition. It is widespread in the Asian subcontinent, with India bearing most of the burden. It is characterized by mucosal rigidity of varying intensity due to the fibroelastic changes of the juxta epithelial layer, resulting in a progressive inability to open the mouth. Early recognition with accurate staging of the disease and appropriate treatment planning is of utmost importance to prevent the malignant transformation and to improve the quality of life of the patient. In the present study, an attempt is made to clinically evaluate the condition and correlate it with the histopathological findings according to standard criteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hospital-based study was conducted on sixty OSMF patients. Detailed history was recorded, and functional staging was given depending on mouth opening. Punch biopsy was performed, and histological stages were given based on standard criteria. The data so received were mathematically evaluated to determine whether any correlation exists between the stages using Chi-square test. RESULTS: The sixty patients were in the age range of 16-50 years. Male-to-female ratio was that of 97:3. The statistical analysis using Chi-square test showed statistically significant association (P < 0.001) between the functional and histologic stages. CONCLUSION: There is a definite correlation between functional and histological stages of OSMF which suggests that clinically advanced OSMF has extensive fibrosis histologically.

Comparison of the safety and efficacy of topical Tacrolimus (0.03%) versus dexamethasone (0.05%) for subepithelial infiltrates after adenoviral conjunctivitis.

Purpose: To compare the safety and efficacy of tacrolimus 0.03% ointment with dexamethasone 0.05% ointment for subepithelial infiltrates (SEIs) following adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis (AK). Methods: A randomized, double blind trial was done. Eligibility criteria was corrected distance visual acuity of 6/9 Snellen or worse for at least 4 weeks with corneal SEIs following AK. The grading of SEIs was done on a scale of 0 to 3; 0, no infiltrates, 1 mild infiltration, 2 moderate infiltration and 3, severe infiltration. Consecutive patients with SEIs following AK were randomized to receive either topical tacrolimus 0.03% or dexamethasone 0.05% ointment twice daily for 6 months. Treatment was successful if there was reduction of SEIs and improvement in vision. Results: A total of 45 patients each were assigned to the Tacro and Dexa groups, respectively. Baseline characteristics of patients did not differ significantly (P > 0.001). There was a significant change in symptoms, vision and SEIs in both the groups. However, the magnitude was greater in tacro group. Treatment was successful in 37 (92.5%) patients in Tacro and 34 (85%) patients in dexa group. In dexa group, after a period of 1.24 ± 0.24 months, 7 (15.6%) patients developed a significant rise in intraocular pressure (IOP). Three (7.5%) eyes in tacro and 6 (15%) eyes in dexa group had recurrence of SEIs after cessation of therapy. Conclusion: Tacrolimus 0.03% is an effective alternative to dexamethasone 0.05% with low recurrence rate, no significant rise in IOP but may cause burning and foreign body sensation in some patients.

Characteristics of bacterial colonization after indwelling double-J ureteral stents for different time duration.

BACKGROUND: Indwelling Double-J ureteral stenting is commonly used in urological practice and has various complications. This study aimed to assess the frequency of bacterial stent colonization and stent-associated bacteriuria after indwelling it for different time durations and to evaluate the significance of urinary cultures for identification of colonizing microorganisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted. Midstream urine from 72 patients undergoing J stent insertion was investigated microbiologically before stent insertion and on the day of stent removal. The stents were removed by aseptic manipulation, and 1-3 cm of the tip located in the bladder was collected for microbiological study. The urine and stent samples were cultured, and the bacterial pathogens were identified using standard microbiological methods followed by Phoenix automated system. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. RESULTS: Bacterial colonies were found in 47.2% (34 of 72) of the stents. Of the multiple pathogens identified, Escherichia coli (20%) was the most common, followed by Streptococcus sp. (17.5%) and Pseudomonas sp. (12.5%). The bacteria did not colonize within the first 2 weeks of stent placement. Results showed that 55% of the isolates were resistant to erythromycin, 52.5% to ampicillin, 42.5% to piperacillin, and least resistant being 17.5% for tetracycline and imipenem. However, 81.3% and 66.7% of the stents were colonized when placed for 90-120 days and 60-90 days, respectively. CONCLUSION: High prevalence of bacterial isolates and risk of bacteriuria and colonization was found in the DJ stent tips, with E. coli being dominant colonizer. Most of the bacteria were resistant to different classes of antibiotics. Bacteriuria and stent colonization gradually increases with the duration of stent retention in the body.