CUFA algorithm: assessment of liver fibrosis using routine laboratory data.

Staging of liver fibrosis is an integral part of the management of HCV. Liver biopsy is hampered by its invasiveness and possibility of sampling error. Current noninvasive methods are disadvantaged by their cost and complexity. In this study, we aimed at developing a noninvasive method for the staging of liver fibrosis based only on routine laboratory tests and clinical data. Basic clinical and laboratory data and liver biopsies were collected from 994 patients presenting for the evaluation of HCV. Logistic regression was used to create a model predictive of fibrosis stages. A sequential test was then developed by combining our new model with APRI. In the training set (497) a model was created by logistic regression for the prediction of significant fibrosis (≥F2), it included platelets, AST and age (PLASA). The areas under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 0.753, 66.8, 71.4, 69.8, 68.4, respectively, while in the validation set (497), they were 0.777, 66.7, 72.8, 68.6 and 71, respectively. These were the best performance indicators when compared to APRI, FIB-4, King's score, platelets, fibrosis index, age-platelet index and Lok index in the same set of patients. A sequential test was then developed including APRI followed by PLASA [Cairo University Fibrosis Assessment (CUFA) algorithm], this allowed saving 20% and 34% of liver biopsies for patients being tested for significant fibrosis and cirrhosis, respectively. In conclusion, the CUFA algorithms at no cost allow saving a significant proportion of patients from performing a liver biopsy or a more complex costly test. These algorithms could be used as the first step in the assessment of liver fibrosis before embarking on the more costly advanced serum markers, Fibroscan or liver biopsy.

Preoperative estimation of cosmetic outcomes after immediate breast reconstruction with extended latissimus dorsi flap: A simple prediction model.

BACKGROUND: The extended latissimus dorsi (ELD) flap can provide adequate volume for breast reconstruction without an implant. The aim of this study was to identify a simple method to estimate preoperatively if the ELD flap would provide enough volume for breast reconstruction and good cosmetic outcome. The proposed model was based on correlating the preoperative body mass index (BMI) and breast cup size. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 64 patients who underwent immediate breast reconstruction with ELD at the National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, between January 2014 and January 2016. Preoperative breast cup size and patients' BMI were recorded. The primary end point was cosmetic outcome score assessed by three independent breast surgeons and the patients. Correlation analysis was performed between the preoperative factors and final cosmetic outcome. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients underwent immediate reconstruction following skin-sparing mastectomy. BMI range was 23-38 kg/m2 with a median of 28. All patients with cup size A had aesthetically pleasing results. As the breast cup size increased, the favorable cosmetic outcomes were noted with lower BMI. All patients with BMI higher than 33 had unfavorable results. CONCLUSION: Favorable cosmetic outcomes are expected after ELD reconstruction in patients with cup size A regardless of the BMI. As the breast cup size increases, favorable cosmetic outcomes are expected in patients with lower BMI than in those with higher BMI. At a BMI of 34, no favorable cosmetic outcomes are expected. The prediction model will be validated in a prospective study.

Patterns of infection in patients with aplastic anemia and the emergence of Aspergillus as a major cause of death.

Patterns of infection were studied in 150 patients with aplastic anemia who were admitted to the Clinical Hematology Branch, National Institutes of Health, between January 1978 and December 1989 for immunosuppressive therapy. Sixty percent of the patients were males, 71% were white, their mean age was 33.6 years (median, 27.5; range, 1-75), and 83% had severe aplastic anemia. One hundred three patients developed 1 or more febrile episodes during the study period. The risk factors for developing a febrile episode included a low Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) and Absolute Monocyte Count (AMC) at admission and the presence of an indwelling central venous catheter (Hickman-Broviack or Port-A-Cath). A total of 289 febrile events were studied, including unexplained fever (FUO) in 89 (31%), microbiologically documented infection (MBDI) in 137 (47%), and clinically documented infection (CDI) in 63 patients (22%). Compared to documented infections (MBDI) or CDI), FUO events were associated with a higher frequency of rigors, signs and symptoms of serum sickness, and treatment regimens known to cause fevers. None of the FUO events had a fatal outcome, even if the antibiotic therapy was discontinued before day 7. Among CDI events, bacteria were the most commonly defined etiologic agent (67%), followed by fungi (23%), viruses (7%), and parasites (3%). The patterns of bacterial infections in patients with aplastic anemia were similar to those observed in patients with cancer-related neutropenia. Twenty-one patients (15%) developed invasive fungal infections (aspergillus, 11; candida, 7; and both, 3), which were fatal in 19 (90%). Fungal infections accounted for 30% of the secondary infectious events and for 55% of fatal infectious events. The only identifiable risk factors for developing a fungal infection were the degree of neutropenia and monocytopenia at initial admission or final evaluation. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis developed despite empirical amphotericin B therapy and was associated with a high incidence of fatal pulmonary hemorrhage (10 of 13 patients [77%]). Infection was responsible for 36 (62%) of the deaths observed during the study period and hemorrhage alone for 4 (7%). However, 20 of the patients who died of infection had concomitant hemorrhage. No significant drop in ANC, AMC, or platelet count could be demonstrated during a fatal infectious event as compared to a nonfatal infectious event. Invasive fungal infections, predominantly with aspergillus and candida, emerged in our study as the major causes of mortality in patients with aplastic anemia. Without bone marrow recovery the prognosis associated with invasive mycoses was grave.

Management of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome by ascitic fluid aspiration and intensive intravenous fluid therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of intensive intravenous (IV) fluid therapy and ascitic fluid aspiration in the management of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. METHODS: Forty-two women with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome were treated by ultrasonically guided transvaginal aspiration of ascitic fluid and IV fluid infusion. Ten women with the same condition treated conservatively constituted a comparison group. The main outcome measures included percentage change in hematocrit, creatinine clearance, and urine output before and after aspiration. The duration of hospital stay was compared between the groups. RESULTS: Marked improvement of symptoms and general condition followed soon after aspiration. Hematocrit readings decreased by 22%, creatinine clearance increased by 79.3%, and urine output increased by 220.7%. The average volume of aspirated fluid was 3900 mL. The average duration of hospital stay was 3.8 days in the treated women. In the comparison group, severe symptoms and electrolyte imbalance continued for an average of 9 days, and the average hospital stay was 11 days. CONCLUSION: Intensive IV fluid therapy and transvaginal aspiration of ascitic fluid are safe and effective in improving symptoms, preventing complications, and shortening the hospital stay in severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Cryopreservation of the occasionally improved semen samples for intrauterine insemination: a new approach in the treatment of idiopathic male infertility.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of treating idiopathic male infertility by intrauterine insemination (IUI) of the occasionally improved cryopreserved semen. DESIGN: Two groups of idiopathic oligospermic patients were chosen at random and treated by IUI using processed fresh semen in group A and the best available cryopreserved semen samples pooled with fresh samples in group B. SETTING: Egyptian IVF-ET Centre, Maadi, CAiro, Egypt. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS: One hundred fifty infertile couples because of idiopathic oligoasthenospermia. INTERVENTION: Intrauterine insemination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The pregnancy rate was evaluated after an average of three treatment cycles. RESULTS: The pregnancy rate (PR) was significantly higher in group B when compared with group A. The improvement in the PR was highly significant in the subgroup of patients for whom reasonable semen samples could be collected and cryopreserved. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that IUI with fresh semen pooled with cryopreserved occasionally improved semen samples for the treatment of oligoasthenospermia results in an improved PR.

The life span of sperm motility and pattern in cumulus coculture.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of cumulus cell coculture on human sperm motility, life span, and patterns. DESIGN: Controlled prospective study of 50 normal semen samples. Sperm motility and forward grade was observed in droplets of Ham's F-10 media with cumulus cell coculture and compared with sperm in droplets of Ham's F-10 only. SETTING: The Egyptian IVF-ET Center. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sperm motility, life span, and forward progressive pattern. RESULTS: The time course of loss of sperm motility in cumulus coculture was significantly slower than without cumulus. Also, the percentage of motile sperm with linear progressive motility of grade 4,3 was significantly higher in cumulus coculture. CONCLUSION: Cumulus cell coculture has a positive effect on prolongation of sperm motility life span and its forward progression.

Follicular aspiration does not protect against the development of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of follicular aspiration on the incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). DESIGN: A retrospective study was done on 219 IVF cycles that proceeded to follicular aspiration (group A) and they were compared with 189 cycles of ovulation induction for non-IVF cycles (group B). We compared the incidence of OHSS in regularly ovulating patients (subgroups A1 and B1) and anovulatory patients (subgroups A2 and B2) in both groups. SETTINGS: The study took place at The Egyptian IVF-ET Center. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 319 infertility patients. INTERVENTION: Ovulation was induced and follicles were aspirated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The incidences of moderate and severe OHSS were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: The incidence of OHSS in group B was significantly higher than that in group A (P = 0.016). There was no significant difference in the incidence of OHSS between subgroup A1 and subgroup B1 or between subgroup A2 and subgroup B2. CONCLUSIONS: Follicular aspiration had no effect on the incidence of OHSS. In contrast, the higher incidence of OHSS in group B was related to the higher incidence of anovulatory infertility.

A randomized pilot study of high-dose epirubicin as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of cancer of the bilharzial bladder.

Seventy-one patients with T2 and T3 bladder cancer were randomized to receive either two courses of epirubicin 120 mg/m2 i.v. push every 21 days pre-operatively, and four additional courses post-operatively (group I = 34 patients), or radical surgery (group II = 37 patients). At a median follow-up of 24 months (range 22 months to 38 months) 25 patients from group I and 14 patients from group II are still alive and disease-free. The estimated two-year disease-free survival percentages were 73.5 and 37.9%, respectively (P = 0.05). After initial chemotherapy, resected specimens were subjected to histopathological study of chemotherapeutic effects. Necrosis was detected in 95% of cases with squamous cell carcinoma and in 57.3% of cases with transitional cell carcinoma. We conclude that the benefit which was obtained by pre-operative and post-operative chemotherapy with epirubicin is promising and may represent a significant improvement in the treatment of patients with carcinoma of the bilharzial bladder.

A randomized EPOCH vs. CHOP front-line therapy for aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients: long-term results.

BACKGROUND: The value of continuous-infusion chemotherapy (EPOCH) vs. the standard CHOP combination was evaluated in 78 patients with previously untreated aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a randomized phase III clinical trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The EPOCH regimen given to 38 patients consisted of the drugs etoposide (50 mg/m2), vincristine (0.4 mg/m2), and doxorubicin (10 mg/m2), all given in a continuous infusion on days 1-4. Cyclophosphamide (750 mg/m2) was administered on day 6 as i.v. bolus, while prednisone was given orally 60 mg/m2 on days 1-6. Courses were repeated every three weeks. CHOP was given to 40 patients as routinely prescribed. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients were males and thirty were females. Their ages ranged from 19-75 years (median 45 years). Forty-three (55%) had grade 2 and thirty-five (45%) had grade 3 pathologic subtype. Nine patients (12%) presented with stage I, fourteen (18%) with stage II, forty (51%) with stage III, and fifteen (19%) with stage IV disease. The different clinico-pathologic characteristics, including international index categories, were comparable in the two groups. The number of courses given ranged between 3 and 9 (median 6) for both the EPOCH and CHOP regimens. Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 19 (50%), and 27 (67%) of the 38 and 40 patients for both the EPOCH and CHOP combinations, respectively. After a median observation time of 27 months, the four-year overall and failure-free survival rates were 42% and 30% for the EPOCH and 71% and 54% for the CHOP regimen (P = 0.006 and 0.1 for the overall and FFS rates, respectively). Toxicities were comparable and were mostly of grades 1 and 2, except for hair loss, hematologic toxicities, and infectious episodes which were more common in the EPOCH group. In the EPOCH group, overall survival rates were 55% vs. 22% (P < 0.04) at four years for the low-risk (2 prognostic factors) and high-risk (> 2 factors) groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, it may be concluded that continuous-infusion (EPOCH) chemotherapy did not improve treatment outcome over that of the CHOP regimen for aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients.