Impact of Parallel Topical Treatment with Nadifloxacin and Adapalene on Acne Vulgaris Severity and Quality of Life: A Prospective, Uncontrolled, Multicentric, Noninterventional Study

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Daily parallel application of adapalene and nadifloxacin has been determined to be effective and well tolerated in patients with acne vulgaris in randomized, controlled clinical studies. Here, the authors report the results from a large, prospective, uncontrolled, multicentric, noninterventional study under real-life conditions in Germany. The effect of treatment on acne severity, safety, and, for the first time, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was investigated. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Of the 292 patients (safety collective: 231 adults, 61 adolescents) who had at least grade 4 acne vulgaris on the face as per the Leeds Revised Acne Grading (LRAG), 273 (efficacy collective: 213 adults, 60 adolescents) were treated with adapalene 0.1% cream or gel and nadifloxacin 1% cream for the defined minimum of 28 days. Patients were evaluated for acne severity, acne-related facial symptoms, HRQoL, overall assessment of therapy, and safety. <b><i>Results:</i></b> After the median treatment duration of 37 and 38 days (adults and adolescents, respectively), 93.4% and 85.0% of adults and adolescents, respectively, exhibited a sustained decrease in acne severity. The LRAG decreased by at least 3 scores in 29.1% and 24.6% of female and male adults, respectively. HRQoL improved in 67.9% and 63.5% of adults and adolescents, respectively (median improvement in the Dermatology Life Quality Index scores per patient of 3.0 [female adults], 1.0 [male adults], and 2.0 for all adolescents in the Children’s Dermatology Life Quality Index). Female adults were more impaired in terms of HRQoL compared to male adults. The 2 best overall efficacy ratings were provided by physicians in 79.3% and 69.5% and by patients in 68.5% and 58.3% of adult and adolescent cases, respectively. The treatment was well tolerated, as reflected in the low number of 9 mild adverse events (AEs), all of which resolved without treatment. However, 4 patients terminated the study prematurely due to AEs. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> In this study, the parallel use of adapalene and nadifloxacin for at least 5 weeks resulted in a rapid improvement in acne severity, an increase in HRQoL, and a good safety profile. Therefore, it represents a promising treatment option that offers the possibility of flexible therapy adjustment.

Video-Assisted Thyroidectomy Using a Surgical Energy Device: Initial Experience in a Japanese Single-Center Cohort

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> Video-assisted thyroidectomy (VAT) was approved for coverage under the Japanese public health insurance system in 2016. In our department, we introduced VAT in 2018, and we have since been performing the procedure with the assistance of surgical energy devices. We herein summarize our cases undergoing VAT, including a review of points to consider when introducing the procedure, and characteristics of the surgical energy devices. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We enrolled 24 patients (14 women and 10 men; age: 24–83 years; mean: 59.0 years) with thyroid/parathyroid tumors who underwent VAT between January 2018 and March 2021 at our department. The medical records of the patients were reviewed, and demographic data, clinical characteristics, histological type, treatment outcomes, and complications were analyzed. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The surgical energy devices used were LigaSure® in the first 4 cases, Acrosurg®. Scissors S17 in the next 13 cases, and Acrosurg®. Revo S15 in the latest 7 cases. The operation time (range: 72–250 min; mean: 147 min), intraoperative blood loss (range: 5–370 mL; mean: 33 mL), indwelling time of wound drain (range: 2–6 days; mean: 3.5 days), and hospitalization period (range: 3–8 days; mean: 5.5 days) were within acceptable ranges. In this study, it is suggested that Acrosurg®. Revo S15 can shorten the indwelling time and the hospitalization period. There were no serious complications, but 1 patient developed transient vocal cord paralysis, which improved 3 months after surgery. It was suggested that the microwave energy devices, Acrosurg®. Scissors S17 and Acrosurg®. Revo S15, may be more effective with respect to sealing/hemostasis/coagulation capacity and controllability than the high-frequency electrosurgical device, LigaSure®. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Based on this initial experience, VAT using surgical energy devices appeared to be a safe, effective, and minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of thyroid/parathyroid tumors. Further studies confirming these early findings are needed.

Covid-19 Impact on Macular Neovascularization and Retinal Vein Occlusion Treatment: Single-Center Experience

<b><i>Purpose:</i></b> The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in undertreatment and subsequent loss of visual acuity (VA) in patients with macular neovascularization (MNV) or retinal vein occlusion (RVO) regularly treated with intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor injections. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Single-center, retrospective study of patients scheduled for treatment between March 19 and June 1, 2020, the national mandatory quarantine period. Patients’ demographics, VA, and scheduled treatment during this period were reviewed via medical records. All patients were analyzed regarding treatment attendance rates. The visual impact of COVID-19 was assessed in patients who had been treated and presented a stable VA for &#x3e;6 months before the beginning of the quarantine. <b><i>Results:</i></b> This study included 927 eyes from 769 patients. The attendance rate increased throughout the study timeframe (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) and correlated negatively with higher patient’s age (<i>r</i> = −0.142; <i>p</i> = 0.005). Patients with age-related macular degeneration (67.6%) had lower attendance rates (<i>p</i> = 0.007) and were older (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). The visual impact analysis included 400 eyes from 325 patients. The average VA variation throughout this period was −1.7 ± 8.4 ETDRS letters and was similar in different retinal pathologies (<i>p</i> = 0.334). VA variation did not correlate with the number of missed treatments per patient (<i>r</i> = 0.100; <i>p</i> = 0.150). The prevalence of subretinal fluid and intraretinal fluid, as well as central retinal thickness decreased significantly throughout the study period (<i>p</i> values of &#x3c;0.001, &#x3c;0.001, and 0.032, respectively). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the attendance rate of patients with MNV or RVO to their scheduled treatments, which was higher in the first week of mandatory quarantine. Nevertheless, VA did not decrease significantly during this period, with a limited VA variation regardless of primary retinal disorder and morphological parameters even improved in the eyes included in the visual impact analysis.

Genetic Analysis of Acid β-Glucosidase in Patients with Multiple Myeloma from Central Taiwan: A Small-Cohort Case-Control Study

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable, biologically heterogeneous disease of the plasma cells, associated with older age and is more common in men. Gaucher disease, caused by mutation in acid β-glucosidase (glucocerebrosidase, <i>GBA</i>) gene, has been linked to multiple cancers, especially MM. Pathological accumulation of glucosylceramide and complex glycosphingolipids coupled with chronic inflammation may be the cause of cancer in patients with Gaucher disease. In this study, we hypothesized patients with MM have mutations in the <i>GBA</i> gene and analyzed patients with MM to determine whether they have a higher frequency of <i>GBA</i> variants. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Twenty-four MM samples were acquired from the Human Biobank, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. <i>GBA</i> mutations were detected by polymerase chain reaction-directed DNA sequencing. <b><i>Results:</i></b> We found no mutations in the coding regions of <i>GBA</i> in any of the 24 study subjects. However, two single-nucleotide polymorphisms, rs2070679 and rs2361534, were identified. A significant difference was observed between the study and control groups (<i>p</i> = 0.0028) in rs2361534 allele distribution, with the C allele frequency being higher in patients (1/48, 2.1%) than in the control group (5/3030, 0.16%, Taiwan Biobank). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> In this study, the sample size was limited and GBA enzyme activity was not measured; therefore, we could not establish a direct correlation between MM and <i>GBA</i> mutations. However, the association of rs2361534 suggests that regions around this single-nucleotide polymorphism may be involved in MM. The relationship between MM and <i>GBA</i> mutations remains unclear. A large sample is required for a detailed analysis of this potential relationship.

Study of Baicalin toward COVID-19 Treatment: In silico Target Analysis and in vitro Inhibitory Effects on SARS-CoV-2 Proteases

Negative impacts of COVID-19 on human health and economic and social activities urge scientists to develop effective treatments. Baicalin is a natural flavonoid, extracted from a traditional medicinal plant, previously reported with anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, we used pharmacophore fitting and molecular docking to screen and determine docking patterns and the binding affinity of baicalin on 3 major targets of SARS-CoV-2 (3-chymotrypsin-like cysteine protease [3CLpro], papain-like protease [PLpro], and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase). The obtained data revealed that baicalin has high pharmacophore fitting on 3CLpro and predicted good binding affinity on PLpro. Moreover, using the enzymatic assay, we examined the inhibitory effect of baicalin in vitro on the screened enzymes. Baicalin also exhibits inhibitory effect on these proteases in vitro. Additionally, we performed pharmacophore-based screening of baicalin on human targets and conducted pathway analysis to explore the potential cytoprotective effects of baicalin in the host cell that may be beneficial for COVID-19 treatment. The result suggested that baicalin has multiple targets in human cell that may induce multiple pharmacological effects. The result of pathway analysis implied that these targets may be associated with baicalin-induced bioactivities that are involved with signals of pro-inflammation factors, such as cytokine and chemokine. Taken together with supportive data from the literature, the bioactivities of bailalin may be beneficial for COVID-19 treatment by reducing cytokine-induced acute inflammation. In conclusion, baicalin is potentially a good candidate for developing new therapeutic to treat COVID-19.

Prevalence of Chronic Metabolic Comorbidities in Acute Pancreatitis and Its Impact on Early Gastrointestinal Symptoms during Hospitalization: A Prospective Cohort Study

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The prevalence of chronic comorbidities is increasing worldwide, and this has been paralleled by a growing interest in how these comorbidities affect patients with acute pancreatitis. The aim was to investigate the associations between pre-existing diabetes mellitus, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and gastrointestinal symptoms during the early course of acute pancreatitis. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This was a prospective cohort study of patients with a primary diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Study groups were formed based on the presence of metabolic comorbidities (pre-existing diabetes mellitus, obesity, and metabolic syndrome). Patient-reported outcomes (nausea, bloating, and abdominal pain) were collected prospectively every 24 h (including weekends and public holidays) over the first 72 h of hospitalization. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 183 consecutive patients were enrolled. Of them, 111 (61%) had at least one major metabolic comorbidity. Patients with pre-existing diabetes mellitus and those with metabolic syndrome had worse nausea at 49–72 h of hospitalization (<i>p</i> = 0.017 and <i>p</i> = 0.012, respectively), but not at other time points. Bloating and abdominal pain did not differ between the study groupings throughout the study period. The studied patient-reported outcomes did not differ significantly between acute pancreatitis patients with and without obesity at any point in time. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> More than 3 out of 5 patients hospitalized for acute pancreatitis have at least one major chronic metabolic comorbidity. The presence of metabolic comorbidities does not considerably and consistently affect early gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with acute pancreatitis.

A Longitudinal Study on the Mental Health of College Students in Jinan During the Peak Stage of the COVID-19 Epidemic and the Society Reopening

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> COVID-19, a continuously emerging human-to-human infectious disease, has exerted a significant impact on the mental health of college students. However, little is known regarding the variations in the mental health issues experienced by college students during the peak versus reopening stages of the COVID-19 epidemic in China. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> To assess these issues, an online longitudinal survey was conducted via a WeChat applet. Undergraduates (<i>n</i> = 300) were recruited from 26 universities throughout Jinan in February 2020 (T1 – the epidemic peak stage) and in January 2021 (T2 – the society reopening stage). Their mental status was determined using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 item, and the Insomnia Severity Index. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Of the original 300 college students recruited for this survey, 294 responses at T1 and 285 at T2 were analyzed. Compared with responses obtained at T1, college students at T2 showed a greater prevalence of depression (65.3 vs. 51.0%; <i>p</i> = 0.001) and anxiety (47.7 vs. 38.1%, <i>p</i> = 0.019), and experienced more severe depression (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) and anxiety (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). Both males (<i>p</i> = 0.03) and females (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.01) showed higher levels of depression at T2 versus T1, while no differences were obtained with regard to anxiety and insomnia. At T1, Grade 4 students showed greater levels of depression (<i>p</i> = 0.005) and anxiety (<i>p</i> = 0.008) than that of Grade 1 students. While at T2, only greater levels of depression (<i>p</i> = 0.004) were present when compared with that of Grade 1 students. Additionally, Grade 4 college students demonstrated a greater prevalence of depression at T2 versus T1 (<i>p</i> = 0.03), but no statistically differences were present for anxiety and insomnia. No statistically significant differences were obtained among the 4 grades of college students for insomnia at either the T1 or T2. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> With progression of the COVID-19 epidemic, college students showed increasing levels of depression and anxiety, with Grade 4 college students being most seriously affected. It is imperative that intervention strategies be implemented to mitigate against these mental health issues resulting from the COVID-19 epidemic.

The Value of a Systematic Protocol Using Endobronchial Ultrasound and Endoscopic Ultrasound in Staging of Lung Cancer for Patients with Imaging iN0–N1 Disease

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> We hypothesize that systematic, combined, and multidisciplinary study of the mediastinum (endobronchial ultrasound [EBUS] and endoscopic ultrasound [EUS]) in patients with NSCLC with radiologically normal mediastinum improves the results of mediastinal staging obtained with EBUS alone. <b><i>Material and Methods:</i></b> A retrospective study of the prospective database collected on the patients with NSCLC with a radiologically normal mediastinum and an indication for systematic staging with EBUS and EUS. EBUS staging was followed by EUS in patients in which the results from the pathological analysis of EBUS were negative. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Forty-five patients were included in the analysis. The combination of EBUS followed by EUS provided better results than EBUS alone: sensitivity (S) 95% versus 80%, negative predictive value (NPV) 96.15% versus 86.21%, negative likelihood ratio 0.05 versus 0.20, and post-test probability 3.8% versus 13.8%. This represents an increase in S (15%), the validity index (6.6%), and NPV (9.9%) compared to EBUS alone. There were 4 false negatives (FNs) (8.8%) with the EBUS test alone. After adding EUS, 3 more cases were positive (6.6%) and only 1 FN (2.2%). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> In patients with NSCLC and a radiographically normal mediastinum, a systematic and combined staging with EBUS and EUS show higher sensitivity in the detection of mediastinal metastasis than with the use of EBUS alone. The high accuracy of the test means that the use of mediastinoscopy is not necessary to confirm the results in these patients. Since the availability of EUS is low, it may be advisable for the interventional pulmonologist to receive training in EUS-b.

Changes in the Intra-Amniotic Pressure following Transabdominal Amnioinfusion during Pregnancy

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> The aim of the article was to investigate the changes in intra-amniotic pressure following transabdominal amnioinfusion during pregnancy. <b><i>Design:</i></b> This retrospective study included 19 pregnant women who underwent transabdominal amnioinfusion during pregnancy to relieve umbilical cord compression and improve the intrauterine environment or to increase the accuracy of ultrasonography. <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> We measured and analyzed the changes in intra-amniotic pressure, single deepest pocket, and the amniotic fluid index before and after amnioinfusion. We also determined the incidence of maternal or fetal adverse events, such as preterm premature rupture of membranes, preterm delivery, fetal death within 48 h, placental abruption, infection, hemorrhage, and peripheral organ injury. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 41 amnioinfusion procedures were performed for 19 patients. The median gestational age during the procedure was 24.3 weeks. The median volume of the injected amniotic fluid was 250 mL. The median single deepest pocket and amniotic fluid index after amnioinfusion were significantly higher than those before amnioinfusion (4.0 cm vs. 2.65 cm; <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001 and 13.4 cm vs. 6.0 cm; <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). However, the median (range) intra-amniotic pressure after amnioinfusion was not significantly different compared to that before amnioinfusion (11 mm Hg vs. 11 mm Hg; <i>p</i> = 0.134). Maternal or fetal adverse events were not observed following amnioinfusion. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Intra-amniotic pressure remained unchanged following amnioinfusion. The complications associated with increased intra-amniotic pressure are not likely to develop if the amniotic fluid index and/or single deepest pocket remains within the normal range after amnioinfusion. Studies of groups with and without complications are warranted to clarify the relationship between the intra-amniotic pressure and incidence of complications.