Clinical risk factors of adverse outcomes among women with COVID-19 in the pregnancy and postpartum period: a sequential, prospective meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This sequential, prospective meta-analysis sought to identify risk factors among pregnant and postpartum women with COVID-19 for adverse outcomes related to disease severity, maternal morbidities, neonatal mortality and morbidity, and adverse birth outcomes. DATA SOURCES: We prospectively invited study investigators to join the sequential, prospective meta-analysis via professional research networks beginning in March 2020. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Eligible studies included those recruiting at least 25 consecutive cases of COVID-19 in pregnancy within a defined catchment area. METHODS: We included individual patient data from 21 participating studies. Data quality was assessed, and harmonized variables for risk factors and outcomes were constructed. Duplicate cases were removed. Pooled estimates for the absolute and relative risk of adverse outcomes comparing those with and without each risk factor were generated using a 2-stage meta-analysis. RESULTS: We collected data from 33 countries and territories, including 21,977 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy or postpartum. We found that women with comorbidities (preexisting diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease) vs those without were at higher risk for COVID-19 severity and adverse pregnancy outcomes (fetal death, preterm birth, low birthweight). Participants with COVID-19 and HIV were 1.74 times (95% confidence interval, 1.12-2.71) more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit. Pregnant women who were underweight before pregnancy were at higher risk of intensive care unit admission (relative risk, 5.53; 95% confidence interval, 2.27-13.44), ventilation (relative risk, 9.36; 95% confidence interval, 3.87-22.63), and pregnancy-related death (relative risk, 14.10; 95% confidence interval, 2.83-70.36). Prepregnancy obesity was also a risk factor for severe COVID-19 outcomes including intensive care unit admission (relative risk, 1.81; 95% confidence interval, 1.26-2.60), ventilation (relative risk, 2.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-3.51), any critical care (relative risk, 1.89; 95% confidence interval, 1.28-2.77), and pneumonia (relative risk, 1.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.18-2.33). Anemic pregnant women with COVID-19 also had increased risk of intensive care unit admission (relative risk, 1.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.25-2.11) and death (relative risk, 2.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-4.81). CONCLUSION: We found that pregnant women with comorbidities including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease were at increased risk for severe COVID-19-related outcomes, maternal morbidities, and adverse birth outcomes. We also identified several less commonly known risk factors, including HIV infection, prepregnancy underweight, and anemia. Although pregnant women are already considered a high-risk population, special priority for prevention and treatment should be given to pregnant women with these additional risk factors.

Computational analysis of interactions of oxidative stress and tetrahydrobiopterin reveals instability in eNOS coupling.

In cardiovascular and neurovascular diseases, an increase in oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction has been reported. There is a reduction in tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), which is a cofactor for the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), resulting in eNOS uncoupling. Studies of the enhancement of BH4 availability have reported mixed results for improvement in endothelial dysfunction. Our understanding of the complex interactions of eNOS uncoupling, oxidative stress and BH4 availability is not complete and a quantitative understanding of these interactions is required. In the present study, we developed a computational model for eNOS uncoupling that considers the temporal changes in biopterin ratio in the oxidative stress conditions. Using the model, we studied the effects of cellular oxidative stress (Qsupcell) representing the non-eNOS based oxidative stress sources and BH4 synthesis (QBH4) on eNOS NO production and biopterin ratio (BH4/total biopterins (TBP)). Model results showed that oxidative stress levels from 0.01 to 1nM·s-1 did not affect eNOS NO production and eNOS remained in coupled state. When the Qsupcell increased above 1nM·s-1, the eNOS coupling and NO production transitioned to an oscillatory state. Oxidative stress levels dynamically changed the biopterin ratio. When Qsupcell increased from 1 to 100nM·s-1, the endothelial cell NO production, TBP levels and biopterin ratio reduced significantly from 26.5 to 2nM·s-1, 3.75 to 0.002µM and 0.99 to 0.25, respectively. For an increase in BH4 synthesis, the improvement in NO production rate and BH4 levels were dependent on the extent of cellular oxidative stress. However, a 10-fold increase in QBH4 at higher oxidative stresses did not restore the NO-production rate and the biopterin ratio. Our mechanistic analysis reveals that a combination of enhancing tetrahydrobiopterin level with a reduction in cellular oxidative stress may result in significant improvement in endothelial dysfunction.

The Anterior Interosseus Artery Perforator Flap: Anatomical Dissections and Clinical Study.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of upper extremity deformities continues to be a challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. Various loco regional, distant and free flaps are available for reconstruction. However, each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Of the commonly performed local flaps, radial artery forearm flap, and the posterior interosseus artery flap stand out prominently. Recently, perforator propeller flaps have been used for resurfacing the upper extremity. The anterior interosseus artery perforator flap is an uncommonly used and described flap. METHODS: This study was divided into anatomical study and clinical application in a IV level of evidence. In the anatomical study, five upper extremities were studied. Clinically, 12 patients underwent reconstruction using the anterior interosseus artery perforator flap. Flaps were performed by a single surgeon. A retrospective review of these cases from November 2008 to May 2014 is presented. RESULTS: The anterior interosseus artery perforator was identified in four out of five cadaver limbs. The septocutaneous perforator was in the fifth extensor compartment around 4 cm proximal to the wrist joint. Of the twelve flaps, there was complete necrosis in one flap, and partial necrosis in one flap. The patient with complete necrosis underwent skin grafting at a later date. The wound healed secondarily in case of partial flap necrosis. CONCLUSION: Anterior interosseus artery perforator flap must be considered as an important reconstructive option in the armamentarium of the plastic surgeon, while managing hand and wrist defects.

Morphometry of Proximal Femur in Indian Population.

INTRODUCTION: Total hip arthroplasty is a commonly performed surgery now-a-day. There are regional and racial variations in the stature of the population worldwide. So there is always need of population specific data for making best fit prosthesis. AIM: The present study was done to measure the parameters of proximal femur and to analyse their correlation by using standard statistical analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety one dry bones (44 left and 47 right) were used. Femur Head Diameter (FHD), Femur Neck Length (FNL), Femur Neck Diameter (FND), Femur Neck Thickness (FNT), Cervicodiaphyseal Angle (CDA) was directly measured with the help of anthropometric instruments. Femur Head Offset (FHO) and Vertical Offset (VO) were measured in the anteroposterior digital photographs. RESULTS: Normally distributed variables were compared using Student's t-test (Unpaired data) to analyse significant effect. There was a significant difference between right and left side of FND and CDA. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyse the relationship among variables. FHO had high correlation with the VO (0.687, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: These parameters can be used for designing the prosthesis and plates for hip joint reconstructive surgeries suitable for Indian population.

Variation in formation of superficial palmar arches with clinical implications.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the variations in the arterial supply of hand has reached a point of practical importance with the advent of microvascular surgery for revascularization, replantation and composite tissue transfers. Arterial supply of hand is derived from two anastomotic arches, formed between two main arteries of forearm i.e. radial, ulnar and their branches, in the palm. OBJECTIVE: The superficial palmar arch shows variation in formation at the radial side. In the present study we have recorded its data which would help in its clinical and surgical implications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the present study we have studied the formation of superficial palmar arches and their variations in 100 cadaveric hands at Dr. D . Y. Patil Medical College, Pune and B.J. Government Medical College, Pune, India. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: According to Adachi's classification the most predominant pattern obseved was of Ulnar type arch (66%). According to Coleman and Anson classification 82% showed complete (Group I) superficial palmar arches and a very low incidence (18%) of incomplete arches (Group II). This suggests that collateral circulation is present in majority of cases. This would result in least number of complications considering radial artery harvesting for coronary bypass. Sub-classification of arches according to Coleman and Anson 1961 indicates that the predominant type in the present study was of Group I (Type B) which is formed entirely by Ulnar Artery (56%). Median artery and ulnar artery forming an incomplete superficial arch under Group II (Type C) having an incidence of 4% was recorded. Thus in such cases radial artery harvesting for coronary artery bypass may prove to be less fatal. This study is an effort to provide data about the formation of superficial palmar arches which has been a centre of attraction for most of the surgical procedures and injuries of the hand.