What is the threshold for the prediction of moderate to severe or severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) based on the number of growing follicles ≥ 11 mm and/or estradiol (E2) levels?
The ...optimal threshold of follicles ≥11 mm on the day of hCG to identify those at risk was 19 for both moderate to severe OHSS and for severe OHSS. Estradiol (E2) levels were less prognostic of OHSS than the number of follicles ≥ 11 mm.
In comparison to long gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist protocols, the risk of severe OHSS is reduced by approximately 50% in a GnRH antagonist protocol for ovarian stimulation prior to in vitro fertilisation (IVF), while the two protocols provide equal chances of pregnancy per initiated cycle. Nevertheless, moderate to severe OHSS may still occur in GnRH antagonist protocols if human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is administered to trigger final oocyte maturation, especially in high responder patients. Severe OHSS following hCG trigger may occur with an incidence of 1-2% in a relatively young (aged 18 to 36 years) IVF population treated in a GnRH-antagonist protocol.
From the Engage, Ensure and Trust trials, in total, 2,433 women who received hCG for oocyte maturation and for whom the number of follicles ≥ 11 mm and the level of E2 on the day of hCG administration were known were included in the analyses.
The threshold for OHSS prediction of moderate and severe OHSS was assessed in women treated with corifollitropin alfa or daily recombinant follicle stimulation hormone (rFSH) in a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-antagonist protocol. Receiver operating characteristics curve analyses for moderate to severe OHSS and severe OHSS were performed on the combined dataset and the sensitivity and specificity for the optimal threshold of number of follicles ≥ 11 mm, E2 levels on the day of (hCG), and a combination of both, were determined.
The optimal threshold of follicles ≥ 11 mm on the day of hCG to identify those at risk of moderate to severe OHSS was 19 (sensitivity and specificity 62.3% and 75.6%, respectively) and for severe OHSS was also 19 (sensitivity and specificity 74.3% and 75.3%, respectively). The positive and negative predictive values were 6.9% and 98.6%, respectively, for moderate to severe OHSS, and 4.2% and 99.5% for severe OHSS.
This was a retrospective analysis of combined data from three trials following ovarian stimulation with two different gonadotropins.
For patients with 19 follicles or more ≥11 mm on the day of hCG, measures to prevent the development of OHSS should be considered. Secondary preventive measures include cycle cancellation or coasting, use of a GnRH agonist to trigger final oocyte maturation in place of hCG and a freeze all strategy.
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00702845 NCT00696800 NCT00696878.
A comprehensive overview of the ways control measures directed at carriers of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) affect daily life of carriers is lacking. In this systematic literature review, we ...sought to explore how carriers experience being a carrier and how they experience being subjected to control measures by looking at the impact on basic capabilities.
We searched Medline, Embase and PsychINFO until 26 May 2016 for studies addressing experiences of MDRO carriers. Twenty-seven studies were included, addressing experiences with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (n = 21), ESBL (n = 1), multiple MDRO (n = 4) and other (n = 1, not specified). We categorized reported experiences according to Nussbaum's capability approach.
Carriage and control measures were found to interfere with quality of care, cause negative emotions, limit interactions with loved ones, cause stigmatization, limit recreational activities and create financial and professional insecurity. Further, carriers have difficulties with full comprehension of the problem of antimicrobial resistance, thus affecting six out of ten basic capabilities.
Applying Nussbaum's capability approach visualizes an array of unintended consequences of control measures. Carriers experience stigmatization, especially in healthcare settings, and have limited understanding of their situation and the complexities of antimicrobial resistance.
Decision making regarding cancer treatment is challenging and there is a need for clinical parameters that can guide these decisions. As physical performance appears to be a reflection of health ...status, the aim of this systematic review is to assess whether physical performance tests (PPTs) are predictive of the clinical outcome and treatment tolerance in cancer patients.
A literature search was conducted on 2 April 2015 in the electronic databases Medline and Embase to identify studies focusing on the association between objectively measured PPTs and outcome. No limitations in language or publication dates were applied.
The search retrieved 9680 articles, 16 publications were included involving 4187 patients with various cancer types and different treatments. Reported median or mean age varied from 58 to 78 years. Nine studies used the Timed Up & Go (TUG) test, five the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and five studies focused on gait speed. Poorer TUG, SPPB and gait speed outcome were associated with decreased survival. TUG, SPPB and gait speed were also associated with treatment-related complications. Furthermore, two studies reported an association between poorer TUG and SPPB outcome with higher rates of functional decline.
PPTs appear to show a significant correlation with survival and these tests could be used as a prognostic tool, particular for older adult patients. A less explicit correlation for treatment-related complications and functional decline was also found. To optimize decision making, future research should focus on developing and validating individualized treatment algorithms that incorporate PPTs in addition to cancer- and treatment-related variables.
Summary
Background
A positive specific IgE (sIgE) result for latex does not always mirror the clinical situation and is frequently found in individuals without overt latex allergy.
Objective
We ...sought to investigate the potential of component‐resolved diagnosis (CRD) of latex allergy by microarray and to assess whether the technique allows discriminating genuine allergy from asymptomatic sensitization.
Methods
Twenty‐six healthy controls without a history of latex allergy with a negative latex sIgE and skin test, 22 latex‐allergic patients with a compelling history of latex allergy with a positive latex sIgE and prick test and 20 latex‐sensitized individuals with a frequent asymptomatic exposure to natural rubber latex‐containing devices with a negative latex skin test but a positive sIgE were also included. CRD was performed with the ImmunoCAP ISAC microarray and traditional singleplexed ImmunoCAP.
Results
In all patients, the diagnosis of latex allergy could be established by the combination of recombinant latex components present on the microarray (Hev b 1, Hev b 3, Hev b 5 and Hev b 6.02). Over three‐quarters of our patients were sensitized for Hev b 5 and/or Hev b 6.02. Some patients also displayed reactivity for Hev b 1 and/or Hev b 3. In contrast, none of the individuals sensitized to natural rubber latex or control individuals demonstrated IgE reactivity for rHev b 1, rHev b 3, rHev b 5 or rHev b 6.02. Three‐quarters of the patients sensitized to latex displayed a positive microarray result for recombinant latex profilin (rHev b 8). In contrast to the results obtained by traditional ImmunoCAP for bromelain, almost no sensitization for cross‐reactive carbohydrates was demonstrated by bromelain spotted on the microarray. CRD by traditional singleplexed ImmunoCAP showed highly comparable results.
Conclusion
CRD by microarray is a reliable tool for diagnosing latex allergy. In addition, the technique allows discrimination between genuine allergy and sensitization. CRD by microarray can improve the diagnosis of IgE‐mediated latex allergy by discriminating between genuine allergy and sensitization. CRD by microarray is a reliable tool to diagnose latex allergy. In addition, the technique allows discrimination between a genuine allergy and simple sensitization.
Cite this as: D. G. Ebo, M. M. Hagendorens, K. J. De Knop, M. M. Verweij, C. H. Bridts, L. S. De Clerck and W. J. Stevens, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 348– 358.
The development and optimization of medical ultrasound transducers and imaging modalities require a computational method that accurately predicts the nonlinear acoustic pressure field. A prospective ...method should provide the wide-angle, pulsed field emitted by an arbitrary planar source distribution and propagating in a three-dimensional, large scale domain holding a nonlinear acoustic medium. In this paper, a method is presented that is free of any assumed wavefield directionality. The nonlinear acoustic wave equation is solved by treating the nonlinear term as a contrast source. This formulation leads to an iterative scheme that involves the repetitive solution of a linear wave problem through Green's function method. It is shown that accurate field predictions may be obtained within a few iterations. Moreover, by employing a dedicated numerical convolution technique, the method allows for a discretization down to two points per wavelength or period of the highest frequency of interest. The performance of the method is evaluated through a number of nonlinear field predictions for pulsed transducers with various geometries. The results demonstrate the directional independence of the method. Moreover, comparison with results from several existing methods shows that the method accurately predicts the nonlinear field for weak to moderate nonlinearity.
Abstract Vaccination of health care workers (HCW) in long-term care results in indirect protection of patients who are at high-risk for influenza. The voluntary uptake of influenza vaccination among ...HCW is generally low. We argue that institutions caring for frail elderly have the responsibility to implement voluntary programmes for vaccination against influenza of HCW. When uptake falls short a mandatory programme may be justified. The main justification stems from the duty of care givers not to harm one's patient when one knows there is a significant risk of harm and the intervention to reduce this chance has a favourable balance of benefit over burdens and risks.
Reconstructive microsurgery is a powerful method of treating various complex defects. However, flap loss remains a possibility, leading to additional surgery, hospitalisation and costs. Consequently, ...it is important to know which factors lead to an increased risk of flap failure, so that measures can be undertaken to reduce this risk. Therefore, we analysed our results over a 20-year period to identify risk factors for flap failure after breast, head and neck and extremity reconstruction.
The medical files of all patients treated between 1992 and 2012 were reviewed. Patient characteristics, surgical data and post-operative complications were scored, and independent risk factors for flap loss were identified.
Reconstruction with a total of 1530 free flaps was performed in 1247 patients. Partial and total flap loss occurred in 5.5% and 4.4% of all free flaps, respectively. In all flaps, signs of compromised flap circulation were a risk factor for flap failure. More specifically, the risk factors for flap failure in breast reconstruction were previous radiotherapy, venous anastomosis revision, gluteal artery perforator (GAP) flap choice and post-operative bleeding. In head and neck reconstruction, pulmonary co-morbidity and anastomosis to the lingual vein or superficial temporal artery were risk factors, whereas a radial forearm flap reduced the risk. In extremity reconstruction, diabetes, prolonged anaesthesia time and post-operative wound infection were risk factors.
Independent pre-, intra- and post-operative risk factors for flap failure after microvascular breast, head and neck and extremity reconstruction were identified. These results may be used to improve patient counselling and to adjust treatment algorithms to further reduce the chance of flap failure.
Mangroves and seagrass beds are considered nurseries for juvenile fish, but little experimental evidence exists to elucidate which factors make them attractive habitats. A multifactorial field ...experiment on the use of these habitats by juvenile reef fish and their behaviour was performed during daytime with experimental units (EUs: 1 × 1 × 0.8 m), each representing a unique combination of the factors structure, shade, and food, using artificial seagrass leaves (AS) and artificial mangrove roots (AM). Diurnally active herbivores were most abundant in EUs containing food, and grazed on algae growing on the structures, but were not attracted to structures in the absence of food. The most abundant diurnally active zoobenthivores (Eucinostomusspp.) were present in highest numbers in any EU with food, where they fed on zoobenthos or rested on the bottom. The nocturnally active zoobenthivore/zooplanktivoreOcyurus chrysurusand the diurnally active piscivoreSphyraena barracudawere primarily attracted to structure, in which they rested and were not observed to feed.Haemulon flavolineatumwas mainly attracted to AS,Lutjanus mahogoniwas attracted to AS or shade, whereasL. apodus,O. chrysurusandS. barracudawere found in AM as well as in AS. The data suggest that during daytime, herbivores and diurnally active zoobenthivores are probably attracted to mangroves and seagrass beds primarily by food, and nocturnally active zoobenthivores by structure (in interaction with shade) that offers shelter from predation.S. barracudais also attracted primarily to structure, but the larger individuals probably use this for ambush predation rather than for protection. In conclusion, our experiment clarifies that presence of structure, food and shade significantly contribute to the attractiveness of mangroves and seagrass beds to juvenile reef fish.
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