Helicobacter pylori virulence genotypes and their relationship with precursor lesions of gastric malignancy and histological parameters in infected patients in Colombia. / Genotipos de virulencia de Helicobacter pylori y su asociación con lesiones precursoras de malignidad gástrica y parámetros histológicos en pacientes colombianos.

The aim of this research was to determine the presence of Helicobacter pylori virulence genotypes and their association with precursor lesions of gastric malignancy and histological parameters in patients with dyspepsia symptoms in southwestern Colombia. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for the genetic characterization of vacA, cagA, babA2 and sabA. The chi-square or Fischer test were used to evaluate the association between each genotype and the clinical outcome. We found that 86.3% of the patients with precursor lesions of gastric malignancy presented the vacA s1/m1 genotype, 68.1% had the cagA+ genotype and 68.8% and 55.8% had the babA2+ and sabA+ genotypes, respectively. Our results show association between virulence genotypes and severe degree of polymorphonuclear cell infiltration. In addition, we found an association between the combination of vacA/cagA, vacA/sabA and babA2/sabA genes. This study provides evidence about the association of H. pylori virulence genotypes and gastric inflammation in infected patients.

Se determinó la presencia de los genotipos de virulencia de Helicobacter pylori y su asociación con las lesiones precursoras de malignidad gástrica y parámetros histológicos en pacientes con síntomas de dispepsia del suroccidente de Colombia. Se realizó reacción en cadena de polimerasa (PCR) para la caracterización genética de vacA, cagA, babA2 y sabA. Se empleó la prueba de chi cuadrado o Fischer para evaluar la asociación de cada genotipo sobre el desenlace clínico. En los pacientes con lesiones precursoras de malignidad gástrica se encontró que el 86,3% presentaron el genotipo vacA s1/m1, el 68,1% cagA+ y los genotipos babA2+ y sabA+ con el 68,8% y 55,8%, respectivamente. También, se demostró la asociación entre los genotipos de virulencia y el grado severo de infiltración de células polimorfonucleares. Además, se encontró una asociación entre la combinación de los genes vacA/cagA, vacA/sabA y babA2/sabA. Este estudio proporciona evidencia acerca de la asociación de los genotipos de virulencia del H. pylori y la inflamación gástrica en pacientes infectados.

Genotipos de virulencia de Helicobacter pylori y su asociación con lesiones precursoras de malignidad gástrica y parámetros histológicos en pacientes colombianos / Helicobacter pylori virulence genotypes and their relationship with precursor lesions of gastric malignancy and histological parameters in infected patients in Colombia

Se determinó la presencia de los genotipos de virulencia de Helicobacter pylori y su asociación con las lesiones precursoras de malignidad gástrica y parámetros histológicos en pacientes con síntomas de dispepsia del suroccidente de Colombia. Se realizó reacción en cadena de polimerasa (PCR) para la caracterización genética de vacA, cagA, babA2 y sabA. Se empleó la prueba de chi cuadrado o Fischer para evaluar la asociación de cada genotipo sobre el desenlace clínico. En los pacientes con lesiones precursoras de malignidad gástrica se encontró que el 86,3% presentaron el genotipo vacA s1/m1, el 68,1% cagA+ y los genotipos babA2+ y sabA+ con el 68,8% y 55,8%, respectivamente. También, se demostró la asociación entre los genotipos de virulencia y el grado severo de infiltración de células polimorfonucleares. Además, se encontró una asociación entre la combinación de los genes vacA/cagA, vacA/sabA y babA2/sabA. Este estudio proporciona evidencia acerca de la asociación de los genotipos de virulencia del H. pylori y la inflamación gástrica en pacientes infectados.

The aim of this research was to determine the presence of Helicobacter pylori virulence genotypes and their association with precursor lesions of gastric malignancy and histological parameters in patients with dyspepsia symptoms in southwestern Colombia. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for the genetic characterization of vacA, cagA, babA2 and sabA. The chi-square or Fischer test were used to evaluate the association between each genotype and the clinical outcome. We found that 86.3% of the patients with precursor lesions of gastric malignancy presented the vacA s1/m1 genotype, 68.1% had the cagA+ genotype and 68.8% and 55.8% had the babA2+ and sabA+ genotypes, respectively. Our results show association between virulence genotypes and severe degree of polymorphonuclear cell infiltration. In addition, we found an association between the combination of vacA/cagA, vacA/sabA and babA2/sabA genes. This study provides evidence about the association of H. pylori virulence genotypes and gastric inflammation in infected patients.

Severe febrile neutropenia associated with satralizumab in an Argentinian neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patient.

BACKGROUND: Recently, satralizumab (interleukin-6 receptor blocker) was approved for seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients. In SAkuraSky trial, mild neutropenia was reported in 15% of patients under satralizumab. Most neutropenias were transient; grade 3-4 was not related to serious infections. So far, no severe neutropenia (<100 cell/mm3) has been reported worldwide. METHODS: We present an aquaporin-4-antibody-positive NMOSD patient who developed severe febrile neutropenia 2 weeks after adding satralizumab to her azathioprine treatment. CONCLUSION: Analytic control for satralizumab is recommended at 4 weeks. However, we recommend this control at week 2, in order to closely monitor neutrophil count and prevent further complications.

Endoscopic negative pressure therapy for the closure of an esophagojejunal anastomosis fistula. Case report / Terapia endoscópica de presión negativa para cierre de fístula de la anastomosis esófago-yeyunal. Reporte de caso

Abstract Introduction: Post-surgical esophagojejunal anastomosis fistulas can be life-threatening. Currently, there are several treatment alternatives. In recent years, endoscopic negative pressure therapy has emerged as an innovative treatment for these fistulas, offering numerous benefits. Case presentation: A 72-year-old man diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma of the body and fundus underwent total gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy and Roux-en-Y anastomosis with curative intent in a quaternary care hospital in Popayán, Colombia. However, in the postoperative period, he presented systemic inflammatory response syndrome and acute abdomen due to an esophagojejunal fistula. Initial management included a laparotomy, two peritoneal washings, and an abdominal drainage. Then the patient developed frozen abdomen, so it was not possible to access the esophagojejunal anastomosis. Fistula closure was attempted by inserting a self-expandable metallic stent, yet the procedure was not successful. Salvage therapy was started using an endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) system. After 5 replacements of the VAC system, complete drainage of the intra-abdominal collection, complete closure of the peritoneal cavity, and closure of the esophagojejunal leak, with a small residual diverticular formation, were achieved. The patient's condition improved progressively, resuming oral intake 20 days after initiation of VAC therapy. In addition, no new abdominal complications were reported during the follow-up period (17 months). Conclusions: Endoscopic VAC therapy is a new safe and effective alternative to treat complex post-surgical fistulas caused by esophagojejunal anastomosis.

Resumen Introducción. Las fístulas de las anastomosis esófago-yeyunales postquirúrgicas pueden llegar a ser mortales. En la actualidad, existen varias alternativas de tratamiento, y en los últimos años la terapia endoscópica de presión negativa se ha convertido en un método innovador y con grandes ventajas para el manejo de estas fístulas. Presentación del caso. Hombre de 72 años diagnosticado con adenocarcinoma gástrico de cuerpo y fondo a quien se le realizó una gastrectomía total con linfadenectomía D2 y una anastomosis en Y de Roux con intención curativa en un hospital de cuarto nivel en Popayán, Colombia. Sin embargo, en el posoperatorio presentó síndrome de respuesta inflamatoria sistémica y abdomen agudo producto de fístula esófago-yeyunal. Se realizó manejo inicial con laparotomía, dos lavados de cavidad peritoneal y drenaje abdominal. Posteriormente, el paciente desarrolló abdomen congelado, por lo que no fue posible acceder a la anastomosis esófago-yeyunal. Se intentó cierre de fístula mediante la inserción de prótesis metálica autoexpandible, pero el procedimiento no fue exitoso. Se inició terapia de rescate mediante sistema de cierre asistido por vacío (VAC) por vía endoscópica. Luego de 5 recambios del sistema VAC, se logró el drenaje completo de la colección intraabdominal encontrada, el cierre completo de la cavidad peritoneal y el cierre de la fuga esófago-yeyunal, con una pequeña formación diverticular residual. La condición del paciente mejoró progresivamente, con reinicio de la vía oral a los 20 días del inicio de la terapia VAC. Además, no se reportaron nuevas complicaciones abdominales en el periodo de seguimiento (17 meses). Conclusión. La terapia endoscópica de VAC es una nueva alternativa segura y efectiva para el tratamiento de fístulas postquirúrgicas complejas producto de anastomosis esófago-yeyunales.

International virtual confidential reviews of infection-related maternal deaths and near-miss in 11 low- and middle-income countries - case report series and suggested actions.

BACKGROUND: Obstetric infections are the third most common cause of maternal mortality, with the largest burden in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). We analyzed causes of infection-related maternal deaths and near-miss identified contributing factors and generated suggested actions for quality of care improvement. METHOD: An international, virtual confidential enquiry was conducted for maternal deaths and near-miss cases that occurred in 15 health facilities in 11 LMICs reporting at least one death within the GLOSS study. Facility medical records and local review committee documents containing information on maternal characteristics, timing and chain of events, case management, outcomes, and facility characteristics were summarized into a case report for each woman and reviewed by an international external review committee. Modifiable factors were identified and suggested actions were organized using the three delays framework. RESULTS: Thirteen infection-related maternal deaths and 19 near-miss cases were reviewed in 20 virtual meetings by an international external review committee. Of 151 modifiable factors identified during the review, delays in receiving care contributed to 71/85 modifiable factors in maternal deaths and 55/66 modifiable factors in near-miss cases. Delays in reaching a GLOSS facility contributed to 5/85 and 1/66 modifiable factors for maternal deaths and near-miss cases, respectively. Two modifiable factors in maternal deaths were related to delays in the decision to seek care compared to three modifiable factors in near-miss cases. Suboptimal use of antibiotics, missing microbiological culture and other laboratory results, incorrect working diagnosis, and infrequent monitoring during admission were the main contributors to care delays among both maternal deaths and near-miss cases. Local facility audits were conducted for 2/13 maternal deaths and 0/19 near-miss cases. Based on the review findings, the external review committee recommended actions to improve the prevention and management of maternal infections. CONCLUSION: Prompt recognition and treatment of the infection remain critical addressable gaps in the provision of high-quality care to prevent and manage infection-related severe maternal outcomes in LMICs. Poor uptake of maternal death and near-miss reviews suggests missed learning opportunities by facility teams. Virtual platforms offer a feasible solution to improve routine adoption of confidential maternal death and near-miss reviews locally.

Clinical and Humanistic Burden of Atopic Dermatitis in Europe: Analyses of the National Health and Wellness Survey.

INTRODUCTION: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic and relapsing inflammatory skin disease that negatively impacts overall health, quality of life (QoL), and work productivity. Prior studies on AD burden by severity have focused on moderate-to-severe disease. Here, we describe the clinical and humanistic burden of AD in Europe across all severity levels, including milder disease. METHODS: Data were analyzed from the 2017 National Health and Wellness Survey from adult respondents with AD in the EU-5 (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK). AD disease severity was defined based on self-reported assessments as "mild," "moderate," or "severe" and by Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) severity bands. Self-reported outcomes for AD respondents by severity were assessed using propensity score matching. These outcomes included a wide range of selected medical/psychological comorbidities, overall QoL and functional status (EuroQol 5-Dimensions 5-Level and Short Form-36 version 2 questionnaires), and work productivity and activity impairment (Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire). RESULTS: In total, 4208 respondents with AD (mild AD, 2862; moderate AD, 1177; severe AD, 169) and 4208 respondents without AD were included in this analysis. Results showed greater burden across severity levels compared with matched non-AD controls. A higher proportion of respondents with mild-to-moderate AD, defined by DLQI severity bands, reported atopic comorbidities (P < 0.05) and a wide range of cardiac, vascular, and metabolic comorbidities, including hypertension, high cholesterol, angina, and peripheral vascular disease (P < 0.005), compared with non-AD controls. Relative to potential impacts of various medical and psychological burdens, respondents with mild-to-moderate AD reported higher activity impairment than controls (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Clinical and humanistic burden was observed in European respondents with AD compared with matched non-AD controls across severity levels, with burden evident even in milder disease, highlighting the importance of improving disease management in early stages of AD.

New insights into the taxonomy of autoimmune diseases based on polyautoimmunity.

OBJECTIVE: The clinical coexistence of two or more autoimmune diseases (ADs) fulfilling classification criteria is termed "overt polyautoimmunity" (PolyA), whereas the presence of autoantibodies unrelated to an index AD, without clinical criteria fulfillment, is known as "latent PolyA". We aimed to explore a new taxonomy of ADs based on PolyA. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study of 292 subjects, we evaluated the presence of PolyA in 146, 45, 29, 17, and 17 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren's syndrome (SS), autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and systemic sclerosis (SSc), respectively, and 38 healthy controls. Clinical assessment, autoantibody profile (by autoantigen array chip), lymphocytes immunophenotype and cytokine profile (by flow cytometry) were evaluated simultaneously. A mixed cluster methodology was used to classify ADs. RESULTS: Latent PolyA was more frequent than overt PolyA, ranging from 69.9% in RA to 100% in SSc. Nevertheless, both latent and overt PolyA clustered together. Over-expressed IgG autoantibodies were found to be hallmarks for the identification of index ADs. The combination of autoantibodies allowed high accuracy in the classification of ADs. Three well-defined clusters based on PolyA were observed with distinctive clinical and immunological phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS: This proof-of-concept study indicates that ADs can be classified according to PolyA. PolyA should be considered in all studies dealing with ADs, including epidemiological, genetic, and clinical trials.

Quantifying patient preferences for systemic atopic dermatitis treatments using a discrete-choice experiment.

OBJECTIVES: To identify meaningful treatment attributes and quantify patient preferences for attributes of systemic atopic dermatitis (AD) treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Qualitative interviews were conducted with adults with moderate-to-severe AD (N = 21) to identify AD treatment attributes that patients consider most important and inform attribute selection for an online discrete-choice experiment (DCE) survey administered to patients in the United States with moderate-to-severe AD. Participants identified probability of clear/almost clear skin at 16 weeks, time to itch relief, mode of administration, and safety risks as very important. DCE data were analyzed using a random-parameters logit model to estimate the relative importance of treatment attributes and maximum acceptable risk. RESULTS: A total of 320 respondents completed the DCE survey (74% female; mean age, 35 years). Annual risk of malignancy was the most important attribute, followed by mode of administration, probability of clear skin at 16 weeks, and time to onset of itch relief. Respondents preferred daily oral treatment over injectable treatment. Respondents were willing to accept increases in adverse event risks for improvements in efficacy and mode of administration. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study can help inform joint patient-physician decision making in managing moderate-to-severe AD.

Integrated Safety Analysis of Abrocitinib for the Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis From the Phase II and Phase III Clinical Trial Program.

BACKGROUND: Pivotal phase III studies demonstrated that abrocitinib, an oral, once-daily, JAK1-selective inhibitor, is effective treatment for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) as monotherapy and in combination with topical therapy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term safety of abrocitinib 200 mg and 100 mg in an integrated analysis of a phase IIb study, four phase III studies, and one long-term extension study. METHODS: Two cohorts were analyzed: a placebo-controlled cohort from 12- to 16-week studies and an all-abrocitinib cohort including patients who received one or more abrocitinib doses. Adverse events (AEs) of interest and laboratory data are reported. RESULTS: Total exposure in the all-abrocitinib cohort (n = 2856) was 1614 patient-years (PY); exposure was ≥ 24 weeks in 1248 patients and ≥ 48 weeks in 606 (maximum 108 weeks). In the placebo-controlled cohort (n = 1540), dose-related AEs (200 mg, 100 mg, placebo) were nausea (14.6%, 6.1%, 2.0%), headache (7.8%, 5.9%, 3.5%), and acne (4.7%, 1.6%, 0%). Platelet count was reduced transiently in a dose-dependent manner; 2/2718 patients (200-mg group) had confirmed platelet counts of < 50 × 103/mm3 at week 4. Incidence rates (IRs) were 2.33/100PY and 2.65/100 PY for serious infection, 4.34/100PY and 2.04/100PY for herpes zoster, and 11.83/100PY and 8.73/100PY for herpes simplex in the 200-mg and 100-mg groups, respectively. IRs for nonmelanoma skin cancer, other malignancies, and major adverse cardiovascular events were < 0.5/100PY for both doses. Five venous thromboembolism events occurred (IR 0.30/100PY), all in the 200-mg group. There were three deaths due to gastric carcinoma (diagnosed at day 43), sudden death, and COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Abrocitinib, with proper patient and dose selection, has a manageable tolerability and longer-term safety profile appropriate for long-term use in patients with moderate-to-severe AD. TRIAL REGISTRIES: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02780167, NCT03349060, NCT03575871, NCT03720470, NCT03627767, NCT03422822.

Ocular Manifestations in Colombian Patients with Systemic Rheumatologic Diseases.

PURPOSE: To establish the prevalence of ocular involvement in a Colombian population with rheumatologic diseases. DESIGN: Observational cross-sectional study. METHODS: We included a probabilistic sample size of 797 patients who attended a rheumatologic disease center in Bogotá, Colombia. Statistical analysis with descriptive measures and Chi-square independence test between rheumatologic diseases and ophthalmological symptoms and diseases was performed. RESULTS: Eighty-four percent of the population were women, and the mean age was 54.61± 15.64 years. The most common condition was rheumatoid arthritis (33.37%), followed by fibromyalgia (22.71%), Sjögren Syndrome (19.72%), and systemic lupus erythematosus (9.91%). Almost 7% of the patients presented polyautoimmunity. Thirty-five percent of the patients reported one or more ophthalmological symptoms, being dry eye sensation the most common (30.86%), followed by ocular pain (2.76%), red-eye, and decreased visual acuity (both 2.63%). Similarly, 21.45% of the patients presented one or more ophthalmological diagnoses, being keratoconjunctivitis sicca the most common (15.93%), followed by cataract, uveitis (1.38% each), and scleritis (1.25%). CONCLUSION: Almost a third of the patients reported any ocular involvement. It is crucial to be aware of the most common ophthalmic manifestations among the different rheumatologic diseases in our population, to offer early specialist referral and timely treatment.

Clinical and Economic Burden of Mild-to-Moderate Atopic Dermatitis in the UK: A Propensity-Score-Matched Case-Control Study.

INTRODUCTION: The burden of mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis (AD) in the United Kingdom (UK) is not well understood. Long-lasting AD flares may lead to systemic inflammation resulting in reversible progression from mild to more severe AD. This study aimed to assess the clinical and economic burden of mild-to-moderate AD in the UK. METHODS: AD patients were identified in the Health Improvement Network (THIN) from 2013 to 2017 and propensity score matched to non-AD controls by demographics. Patients were identified based on continuous disease activity using validated algorithms and sufficient patient status to fully validate data integrity for the entire period. Mild-to-moderate AD patients were identified by using treatment as a surrogate. Demographics, clinical characteristics and healthcare resource use (HCRU) were obtained from THIN. Literature reviews were conducted to obtain additional outcomes. A cost-of-illness model was developed to extrapolate the burden in 2017 to the UK population and in subsequent years (2018-2022). RESULTS: In 2017, the prevalence of mild-to-moderate AD in THIN was 1.28%. These patients reported higher comorbidity rates and significantly higher (p < 0.0001) HCRU, encompassing mean general practitioner visits (5.57 versus 3.59), AD-related prescriptions (5.85 versus 0.68) and total referrals (0.97 versus 0.82) versus matched non-AD controls. The model projected total HCRU and drug excess costs of €462.99M over the 5 years. The excess cost decreased to €417.35M after excluding patients on very potent topical corticosteroids, who most likely had at least moderate disease. The excess costs increased to €1.21B and €7.06B when considering comorbidity burden and productivity losses, respectively. CONCLUSION: Mild-to-moderate AD patients had higher comorbidity burden, HCRU and cost compared with matched non-AD controls. Overall, UK country-based economic burden was high given partly the high prevalence of this disease. Moreover, productivity burden and comorbidities had considerable impact on the economic burden, which further suggests the importance of optimal disease management.

Adenoma velloso de esófago en la mucosa ectópica gástrica: reporte de un caso / Villous adenoma of the esophagus in ectopic gastric mucosa: A case report

Resumen Introducción: Los adenomas vellosos son lesiones del tubo digestivo con tendencia alta a la malignidad. Su ubicación en parches de mucosa gástrica ectópica en el esófago cervical determina una presentación atípica de interés tanto clínico como patológico. Objetivo: Presentar un caso de adenoma velloso en la mucosa gástrica ectópica del esófago cervical. Métodos: Describir el caso de un paciente con diagnóstico de adenoma velloso y realizar una revisión de la literatura disponible hasta el momento. Resultados: Se identificó mediante un estudio histopatológico un adenoma tubulovelloso con displasia de bajo grado, cuya ubicación endoscópica era un parche de mucosa ectópica gástrica en el esófago cervical. Conclusiones: La ubicación de los adenomas vellosos en el esófago cervical puede predisponer al desarrollo de lesiones neoplásicas. La evaluación detallada de este segmento, con técnicas como la cromoendoscopia digital de alta definición, permiten la detección temprana de estas lesiones y su oportuna intervención.

Abstract Introduction: Villous adenomas are lesions of the digestive tract with a high tendency to malignancy. Its location in ectopic gastric mucosa patches in the cervical esophagus is an atypical presentation of clinical and pathological interest. Objective: To present a case of villous adenoma in ectopic gastric mucosa of the cervical esophagus. Methods: A case study of a patient with a diagnosis of villous adenoma is presented, as well as a review of the current literature. Results: A tubulovillous adenoma with low-grade dysplasia was identified by histopathological study. Its endoscopic location was a gastric ectopic mucosa patch in the cervical esophagus. Conclusions: The location of villous adenomas in the cervical esophagus may predispose to the development of neoplastic lesions. Detailed evaluation of this segment using techniques, such as high-definition digital chromoendoscopy, would allow for early detection and treatment of these lesions.

The Economic and Psychosocial Comorbidity Burden Among Adults with Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis in Europe: Analysis of a Cross-Sectional Survey.

INTRODUCTION: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory disease of the skin, which may have a substantial impact on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study was to quantify the economic burden (direct and indirect costs) of moderate-to-severe AD and evaluate the prevalence and impact of psychosocial comorbidities among patients in the European Union-5 (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK). METHODS: Data were analyzed from the 2017 EU5 National Health and Wellness Survey. Respondents with a physician diagnosis of AD/eczema who were considered to have moderate-to-severe AD based on a Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score ≥ 6 were included. Direct costs, indirect costs, and psychosocial comorbidities (sleep difficulties and anxiety based on self-report, depression based on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9) were reported descriptively. Generalized linear models were used to examine the relationship between psychosocial comorbidities and health outcomes (the Short Form-36 version 2 [SF-36v2], EuroQoL 5-dimension 5-level, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire, and healthcare resource utilization). RESULTS: Overall, 1014 patients were included in the analysis. Total annual direct costs ranged from €2242 to €6924 and total annual indirect costs ranged from €7277 to €14,236, depending on the level of disease severity. Sleep difficulties, anxiety, and depression were reported by 61.6%, 52.7%, and 75.8% of patients, respectively. These comorbidities were significantly associated with reduced physical and mental component summary scores from SF-36v2 and increased overall work impairment (p < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: A significant economic burden was observed for patients with moderate-to-severe AD. Sleep difficulties, depression, and anxiety were observed in more than half of moderate-to-severe AD patients and were significantly associated with decrements in HRQoL and with work-related impairment. Reducing the burden of these psychosocial comorbidities in AD could have significant benefit to patients and society.

Clinical and Economic Burden of Pediatric Mild-to-Moderate Atopic Dermatitis: A Population-Based Nested Case-Control Study in Sweden.

INTRODUCTION: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin condition characterized by pruritic, eczematous lesions. Recent evidence suggests that AD may be a systemic disorder, implying that management of this disease extends beyond merely controlling symptoms associated with AD. Even though this disease is highly prevalent in children and patients typically present with mild-to-moderate symptoms, the disease burden is not well established. METHODS: A large, retrospective cohort study of Swedish population data was conducted to compare the clinical burden in terms of healthcare resource use and direct medical costs for pediatric mild-to-moderate (pM2M) AD patients (≤ 14 years of age, N = 87,721) with matched controls. The burden of a severe AD cohort was also evaluated. Severity of AD was defined by treatment usage and systemic treatment was used as a proxy for severe AD. A robust approach was used by including any type of secondary care visits known to be more common in AD patients than in the general population; however, data for primary care visits were not available. RESULTS: For healthcare resource use, the incidence rate ratio (pM2M AD versus reference cohort) of secondary care visits ranged from 1.56 to 2.35 during each of 5 years after AD onset (all p < 0.001), with largest differences seen in years 1-2. The average direct medical cost (SD) was €1111 (3416) and €524 (2446) in the pM2M AD and reference cohorts, respectively. The corresponding estimate in the severe AD cohort was €1906 (7067). Including all secondary care visits and pharmacy-dispensed medications, the pM2M AD cohort was shown to have an additional €118.9 million in direct medical costs over 5 years compared with the reference cohort. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows significant clinical and economic burden of pM2M AD with important secondary care resource utilization, suggesting a need for further research to increase treatment options and improve the management of these patients.

MRI of Reperfused Acute Myocardial Infarction Edema: ADC Quantification versus T1 and T2 Mapping.

Background After acute myocardial infarction (AMI), reperfusion injury is associated with microvascular lesions and myocardial edema. Purpose To evaluate the performance of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) quantification compared with T1 and T2 values in the detection of acute myocardial injury. Materials and Methods In this prospective study conducted from June 2016 to November 2018, participants without a history of heart failure or cardiomyopathy were enrolled after undergoing reperfusion for their first AMI. Quantitative T1 and T2 mapping were performed with a 1.5-T MRI scanner and compared with a fast free-breathing acquisition technique for ADC mapping (approximate duration, 3 minutes; five slices; spin-echo cardiac diffusion acquisition; b values, 0 and 200 sec/mm2; six diffusion-encoding directions; five repetitions). Quantitative ADC and unenhanced T1 and T2 values were compared in infarct, border, and remote regions by using Welch analysis of variance with Games-Howell post hoc test for pairwise comparisons. Results Thirty-four participants with AMI underwent MRI an average of 5 days ± 1.9 (standard deviation) after reperfusion. Mean ADC was markedly high in the infarcted regions (2.32 × 10-3 mm2/sec; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.28, 2.36) and moderately high in the border regions (1.91 ×10-3 mm2/sec; 95% CI: 1.89, 1.94; P < .001). In remote regions, mean ADC (1.62 ×10-3 mm2/sec; 95% CI: 1.59, 1.64) was comparable to that measured in vivo in healthy volunteers. Within the same regions of interest, although the measures showed similar trends in infarct and remote regions for T1 (mean, 1332 mec [95% CI: 1296, 1368] vs 1045 msec [95% CI: 1034, 1056]; P < .001) and T2 (72 msec [95% CI: 69, 75] vs 50 msec [95% CI: 49, 51]; P < .001), the magnitude of the differences among regions was greater when using ADC. Normalized signal differences between infarct and remote regions showed that diffusion-weighted MRI depicted edema 5.1 (P < .001) and 3.5 (P < .001) times greater than did T1 and T2 maps, respectively. Conclusion Multislice cardiac diffusion-weighted images could be acquired in those with acute myocardial injury. Quantitative apparent diffusion coefficient mapping showed greater differences among remote regions and lesions than did T1 or T2 mapping. © RSNA, 2020 See also the editorial by Lloyd and Farris in this issue.

Eficacia de dos sistemas mecanizados para la desobturación de conductos radiculares curvos obturados con GuttaCore / Efficacy of two engine-driven systems for the removal of GuttaCore fillings from curved root canals

Objetivo: Comparar ex vivo la eficacia del instrumento WaveOne Gold Primary con la del sistema ProTaper Retratamiento para la remoción del material de obturación en conductos mesiales de molares inferiores obturados con GuttaCore y sellador. Materiales y métodos: Se seleccionaron raíces mesiales de 15 molares inferiores humanos extraídos con dos conductos radiculares cada una, forámenes independientes y curvaturas de entre 20o y 40o. Los conductos se prepararon con el sistema WaveOne Gold hasta una longitud de trabajo prefijada y hasta el instrumento Primary. La irrigación fue realizada con NaClO al 2,5%. Todos los conductos fueron obturados mediante GuttaCore empleando el obturador Primary y el sellador AH Plus con el agregado de una gota de azul de metileno al 1%. Los 30 conductos (15 mesio-vestibulares y 15 mesio-linguales) fueron divididos al azar en dos grupos de 15 (n=15) conductos cada uno. Los del grupo 1 fueron desobturados con el instrumento de movimiento recíproco WaveOne Gold Primary; los del grupo 2, con el sistema rotatorio ProTaper Retratamiento. Las muestras fueron incluidas en bloques de resina acrílica y se realizaron secciones transversales de 1 mm de espesor a nivel de 1,5, 3 y 9 mm de la longitud de trabajo con micrótomo para tejidos duros. Luego se observaron con un microscopio óptico bajo luz reflejada y se fotografiaron con una cámara digital. Las imágenes se analizaron mediante un programa informático. En cada grupo y en cada uno de los niveles prefijados, los resultados fueron expresados como la diferencia entre el área cubierta por restos de gutapercha/sellador y el área total perimetral del conducto radicular, y analizados mediante ANOVA y la prueba de Tukey, con un nivel de significación de P<0,05. Resultados: Se observaron remanentes del material de obturación en todos los niveles de ambos grupos. No hubo diferencias significativas (P>0,05) entre grupos. Las diferencias observadas entre los niveles prefijados fueron significativas (P<0,05), especialmente cuando se compararon los resultados obtenidos a 1,5 y 9 mm de la longitud de trabajo. Conclusiones: El empleo de WaveOne Gold Primary o ProTaper Retratamiento no permitió remover completamente el material de obturación en conductos mesiales de molares inferiores obturados con GuttaCore y AH Plus (AU)

Observation of Wakefield Suppression in a Photonic-Band-Gap Accelerator Structure.

We report experimental observation of higher order mode (HOM) wakefield suppression in a room-temperature traveling-wave photonic-band-gap (PBG) accelerating structure at 11.700 GHz. It has been long recognized that PBG structures have the potential for reducing long-range wakefields in accelerators. The first ever demonstration of acceleration in a room-temperature PBG structure was conducted in 2005. Since then, the importance of PBG accelerator research has been recognized by many institutions. However, the full experimental characterization of the wakefield spectrum and demonstration of wakefield suppression when the accelerating structure is excited by an electron beam has not been performed to date. We conducted an experiment at the Argonne Wakefield Accelerator test facility and observed wakefields excited by a single high charge electron bunch when it passes through a PBG accelerator structure. Excellent HOM suppression properties of the PBG accelerator were demonstrated in the beam test.

Esporotricosis / Sporotrichosis

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