Hyperkalemia Following Parathyroidectomy in Patients with Renal Hyperparathyroidism—New Thresholds for Urgent Perioperative Dialysis

Parathyroidectomy (PTX) is a mainstay of treating secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in patients with kidney failure in order to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events (CVE), increase overall survival and improve quality of life. Perioperative hyperkalemia may lead to devastating cardiac complications. Distinct preoperative thresholds for serum potassium levels (SPL) were defined, but neither their usefulness nor consecutive risks are understood. This study compared the results and efficacy of different clinical procedures in preventing or treating perioperative hyperkalemia, including postoperative urgent hemodialysis (UHD). Methods: Patients from Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Rheinland Klinikum Lukaskrankenhaus, Neuss, undergoing PTX due to SHPT between 2008 and 2018 were analyzed retrospectively with regard to demographic parameters, surgery specific conditions and perioperative laboratory results. Comparisons of patient values from both centers with focus on perioperative hyperkalemia and the need for UHD were performed. Results: A total of 251 patients undergoing PTX for SHPT were included (Neuss: n = 121 (48%); Berlin: n = 130 (52%)). Perioperative hyperkalemia (SPL ≥ 5.5 mmol/L) was noted in 134 patients (53%). UHD on the day of surgery was performed especially in patients with intraoperative hyperkalemia, in females (n = 40 (16%) vs. n = 27 (11%); p = 0.023), in obese patients (n = 27 (40%) vs. n = 50 (28%), p = 0.040) and more often in patients treated in Neuss (n = 42 (35%) vs. 25 (19%); p = 0.006). For patients treated in Neuss, the intraoperative hyperkalemia cut-off level above 5.75 mmol/L was the most predictive factor for UHD (n = 30 (71%) vs. n = 8 (10%); p < 0.001). Concerning secondary effects of hyperkalemia or UHD, no patient died within the postoperative period, and only three patients suffered from acute CVE, with SPL > 5.5 mmol/L measured in only one patient. Conclusion: Perioperative values could not predict postoperative hyperkalemia with the need for UHD. Previously defined cut-off levels for SPL should be reconsidered, especially for patients undergoing PTX. Early postoperative dialysis in patients with postoperative hyperkalemia can be performed with a low risk for complications and may be indicated for all patients with increased perioperative SPL.

COVID-19 vaccine intentions and uptake in a tertiary care healthcare system: A longitudinal study

Objective Healthcare workers (HCWs) are a high priority group for COVID-19 vaccination and serve as sources for information for the public. This analysis assessed vaccine intentions, factors associated with intentions, and change in uptake over time in HCWs. Methods A prospective cohort study of COVID-19 seroprevalence was conducted with HCWs in a large healthcare system in the Chicago area. Participants completed surveys (November 25, 2020-January 9, 2021 and April 24-July 12, 2021) on COVID-19 exposures, diagnosis and symptoms, demographics, and vaccination status. Results Of 4,180 HCWs who responded to a survey, 77.1% indicated they intended to get the vaccine; in this group, 23.2% had already received at least one dose of the vaccine (23.2%), 17.4% were unsure, and 5.5% reported that they would not get the vaccine. Factors associated with intention or vaccination were being exposed to clinical procedures (vs no procedures) and having a negative serology test for COVID-19 (vs no test) (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=1.39, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.16-1.65, AOR=1.46, 95% CI 1.24-1.73, respectively). Nurses (vs physicians, AOR=0.24 95% CI 0.17-0.33), non-Hispanic Black (vs Asians, AOR=0.35, 95% CI 0.21-0.59), and women (vs men, AOR=0.38, 95% CI 0.30-0.50) had lower odds of intention to get vaccinated. By 6-months follow-up, over 90% of those who had previously been unsure were vaccinated, while 59.7% of those who previously reported no intention of getting vaccinated, were vaccinated. Conclusions COVID-19 vaccination in HCWs was high, but variability in vaccination intention exists. Targeted messaging coupled with vaccine mandates can support uptake.

Evaluation of a Novel Artificial Intelligence System to Monitor and Assess Energy and Macronutrient Intake in Hospitalised Older Patients

Malnutrition is common, especially among older, hospitalised patients, and is associated with higher mortality, longer hospitalisation stays, infections, and loss of muscle mass. It is therefore of utmost importance to employ a proper method for dietary assessment that can be used for the identification and management of malnourished hospitalised patients. In this study, we propose an automated Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based system that receives input images of the meals before and after their consumption and is able to estimate the patient’s energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat, and fatty acids intake. The system jointly segments the images into the different food components and plate types, estimates the volume of each component before and after consumption, and calculates the energy and macronutrient intake for every meal, based on the kitchen’s menu database. Data acquired from an acute geriatric hospital as well as from our previous study were used for the fine-tuning and evaluation of the system. The results from both our system and the hospital’s standard procedure were compared to the estimations of experts. Agreement was better with the system, suggesting that it has the potential to replace standard clinical procedures with a positive impact on time spent directly with the patients.

Clinical procedures in stage II implant supported fixed dental prosthesis: A case report

Restoring a partially edentulous jaw with implant-supported prosthesis is a challenge. The clinical outcome will be satisfactory only when both the surgical phase as well as the prosthetic phase are planned in advance and executed while keeping in mind the aesthetic and functional necessities. In this case report we describe the steps in successfully restoring the edentulous space with implant supported FP1 prosthesis. The sequential steps that were followed in the prosthetic phase has been described in detail. From the satisfactory outcome of the case, it can be concluded that proper evaluation, prosthetically driven treatment planning and correct execution of the plan would ensure good predictability of the implant-supported prosthesis.

The effect of MV image spatial resolution on the patient positioning and patient specific QA

Electronic portal imaging device (EPID) is a common part of almost each radiotherapy treatment unit. It is a quick and simple tool for various clinical procedures, e.g. verification of patient positioning or patient specific QA. Currently available EPIDs have usually the spatial resolution below 0.5 mm. As EPIDs are not primarily designed for diagnostics, even lower spatial resolution might be acceptable. This work assesses the effect of MV image spatial resolution on clinical routines which employ the EPID and addresses the minimal technical requirements of such devices. The aim is to determine if EPIDs with poorer spatial resolution are able to reach the same clinical quality as currently used EPIDs. The effects of MV image spatial resolution on the imaging performance, patient positioning and patient specific QA were studied. The lower spatial resolution was simulated by manually downsampling the original images down to 4× poorer spatial resolution. The study includes an analysis of 96 images used for the patient positioning verification and 61 treatment field images used for the patient specific QA.

Application and prospects of single cell sequencing in tumors

Cancer is an intricate disease with inherent intra-tumor heterogeneity at the cellular level because of genetic changes and environmental differences. Cellular heterogeneity exists even within the same tumor type. Small deviations in a genome or transcriptome can lead to significant differences in function. Conventional bulk population sequencing, which produces admixed populations of cells, can only provide an average expression signal for one cell population, ignoring differences between individual cells. Important advances in sequencing have been made in recent years. Single cell sequencing starts in a single cell, thereby increasing our capability to characterize intratumor heterogeneity. This technology has been used to analyze genetic variation, specific metabolic activity, and evolutionary processes in tumors, which may help us understand tumor occurrence and development and improve our understanding of the tumor microenvironment. In addition, it provides a theoretical basis for the development of clinical treatments, especially for personalized medicine. In this article, we briefly introduce Single cell sequencing technology, summarize the application of Single cell sequencing to study the tumor microenvironment, as well as its therapeutic application in different clinical procedures.

Banking of AT-MSC and its Influence on Their Application to Clinical Procedures

Processing of MSCs to obtain a therapeutic product consists of two main steps: 1) the in vitro expansion of the cells until an appropriate number of them is obtained, and 2) freezing and storage of the expanded cells. The last step is critical and must be optimized so that after thawing the cells retain all their physiological properties including the secretory function. In this paper, we evaluated physiological parameters of AT-MSC’s after a full cycle of their processing, particularly freezing and storing at the liquid nitrogen vapor temperature. Based on the recovered proliferative and secretory capacities of the thawed cells, we have designed the optimal technique for processing of MSCs for clinical applications. In our work, we tried to select the best DMSO-based cryoprotectant mixture on the base of post thawing fully retain their properties. We have demonstrated the effectiveness of the use of DMSO in various configurations of the constituent cryoprotective fluids. We have also shown that AT-MSCs that show control levels in most standard tests (viability, shape, culture behaviour, and proliferative properties) after thawing, may show transient variations in some important physiological properties, such as the level of secreted growth factors. Obtained results let us to indicate how to optimize the AT-MSC preparation process for clinical applications. We suggest that before their clinical application the cells should be cultured for at least one passage to recover their physiological stability and thus assure their optimal therapeutic potential.

A COMPARATIVE CLINICAL EVALUATION FOR PRECISE ISOLATION USING ADDITION SILICONE DAM COVERAGE WITH CONVENTIONAL ISOLATION TECHNIQUES- AN IN-VIVO STUDY

Context: A proper isolation technique plays a key role in the success of restoration of carious tooth. Aim Of The Study: The aim of this in-vivo study was to evaluate efficacy of addition silicone dam coverage technique with conventional isolation methods in restorative procedures and endodontic treatment. Settings And Design: Forty-Five patients who fulfill the inclusion criteria were selected for the study. Materials And Methods: All the participants underwent clinical procedures using 3 different isolation techniques. Group-1: Clinical procedures were carried out using traditional cotton roll isolation. Group-2: Clinical procedures were carried out using conventional rubber dam isolation procedure. Group-3: Clinical procedures were carried out using addition silicone dam coverage technique. The efficacy of isolation in terms of clinician usage and patient comfort is evaluated by a single evaluator. The results were tabulated and statistically analyzed. Statistical Analysis: IBM SPSS (version 21.0) software was used. Chi-square test was performed, considering P < 0.05 for statistical significance. Results: All the groups demonstrated satisfactory clinical performance. Upon inter and intra-group comparison of the isolation methods, there was statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). Conclusion: It is important to achieve an aseptic environment in clinical restorative and endodontic procedures. Addition silicone dam coverage technique is a chair side modified design which is user friendly with improved treatment efficacy. However, long-term clinical studies must be needed for further evaluation.

Radiation Medical Countermeasures and Use of EPR Biodosimetry to Facilitate Effectiveness of Applied Clinical Procedures

The utility for electron paramagentic resonance (EPR or ESR)-based radiation biodosimetry has received increasing recognition concerning its potential to assist in guiding the clinical management of medical countermeasures in individuals unwantedly exposed to injurious levels of ionizing radiation. Similar to any of the standard physical dosimetric methods currently employed for screening clinically significant radiation exposures, the EPR-based in vivo dosimetry approach would serve to complement and extend clinical assessments (e.g., blood analyses, cytogenetics, etc.), specifically to more accurately assign the extent of ionizing radiation exposure that individuals might have received. In the case of EPR biodosimetry of biological samples such as nails, teeth, and bones, the method has the capability of providing information on the physical dose at several specific bodily sites and perhaps additonal information on the homogeneity of the exposure as well as its overall magnitude. This information on radiation dose and distribution would be of significant value in providing medical management to given individuals at health risk due to radiation exposure. As these measurements provide information solely on physical measures of the radiation dose and not on the potential biological impact of a particular dose, they are complementary, albeit supplemental, to the array of currently available biologically based biodosimetry and clinical findings. In aggregate, these physical and biological measures of radiation exposure levels (dose) would most certainly provide additional, useful information for the effective medical management of radiation exposed individuals.