Diabetic foot ulcers segmentation challenge report: Benchmark and analysis

Monitoring the healing progress of diabetic foot ulcers is a challenging process. Accurate segmentation of foot ulcers can help podiatrists to quantitatively measure the size of wound regions to assist prediction of healing status. The main challenge in this field is the lack of publicly available manual delineation, which can be time consuming and laborious. Recently, methods based on deep learning have shown excellent results in automatic segmentation of medical images, however, they require large-scale datasets for training, and there is limited consensus on which methods perform the best. The 2022 Diabetic Foot Ulcers segmentation challenge was held in conjunction with the 2022 International Conference on Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention, which sought to address these issues and stimulate progress in this research domain. A training set of 2000 images exhibiting diabetic foot ulcers was released with corresponding segmentation ground truth masks. Of the 72 (approved) requests from 47 countries, 26 teams used this data to develop fully automated systems to predict the true segmentation masks on a test set of 2000 images, with the corresponding ground truth segmentation masks kept private. Predictions from participating teams were scored and ranked according to their average Dice similarity coefficient of the ground truth masks and prediction masks. The winning team achieved a Dice of 0.7287 for diabetic foot ulcer segmentation. This challenge has now entered a live leaderboard stage where it serves as a challenging benchmark for diabetic foot ulcer segmentation.

Non-pharmacological interventions for diabetic peripheral neuropathy: Are we winning the battle?

Despite the advent of relatively reliable modalities of diagnosing diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), such as nerve conduction studies, there is still a knowledge gap about the pathophysiology, and thus limited available interventions for symptom control and curtailing disease progression. The pharmacologic aspect of management is mainly centred on pain control, however, there are several important aspects of DPN such as loss of vibration sense, pressure sense, and proprioception which are associated with risks to lower limb health, which pharmacotherapy does not address. Furthermore, published evidence suggests non-pharmacologic interventions such as glycaemic control through dietary modification and exercise need to be combined with other measures such as psychotherapy, to reach a desired, however modest effect. Acupuncture is emerging as an important treatment modality for several chronic medical conditions including neuropathic and other pain syndromes. In their study published in the World Journal of Diabetes on the potential of acupuncture to reduce DPN symptoms and enhance nerve conduction parameters, Hoerder et al have been able to demonstrate that acupuncture improves sensory function and that this effect is likely sustained two months after treatment cessation. Although previous studies also support these findings, larger multi-center randomized control trials including a sham-controlled arm accounting for a placebo effect are required. Overall, given the satisfactory safety profile and the positive results found in these studies, it is likely that acupuncture may become an important aspect of the repertoire of effective DPN management.

Continuous glucose monitoring metrics in pregnancy with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Managing diabetes during pregnancy is challenging, given the significant risk it poses for both maternal and foetal health outcomes. While traditional methods involve capillary self-monitoring of blood glucose level monitoring and periodic HbA1c tests, the advent of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems has revolutionized the approach. These devices offer a safe and reliable means of tracking glucose levels in real-time, benefiting both women with diabetes during pregnancy and the healthcare providers. Moreover, CGM systems have shown a low rate of side effects and high feasibility when used in pregnancies complicated by diabetes, especially when paired with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion pump as hybrid closed loop device. Such a combined approach has been demonstrated to improve overall blood sugar control, lessen the occurrence of preeclampsia and neonatal hypoglycaemia, and minimize the duration of neonatal intensive care unit stays. This paper aims to offer a comprehensive evaluation of CGM metrics specifically tailored for pregnancies impacted by type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Comparative efficacy of sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: A real-world experience

BACKGROUND

Sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) are a class of drugs with modest antidiabetic efficacy, weight loss effect, and cardiovascular benefits as proven by multiple randomised controlled trials (RCTs). However, real-world data on the comparative efficacy and safety of individual SGLT-2i medications is sparse.

AIM

To study the comparative efficacy and safety of SGLT-2i using real-world clinical data.

METHODS

We evaluated the comparative efficacy data of 3 SGLT-2i drugs (dapagliflozin, canagliflozin, and empagliflozin) used for treating patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Data on the reduction of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body weight, blood pressure (BP), urine albumin creatinine ratio (ACR), and adverse effects were recorded retrospectively.

RESULTS

Data from 467 patients with a median age of 64 (14.8) years, 294 (62.96%) males and 375 (80.5%) Caucasians were analysed. Median diabetes duration was 16.0 (9.0) years, and the duration of SGLT-2i use was 3.6 (2.1) years. SGLT-2i molecules used were dapagliflozin 10 mg (n = 227; 48.6%), canagliflozin 300 mg (n = 160; 34.3%), and empagliflozin 25 mg (n = 80; 17.1). Baseline median (interquartile range) HbA1c in mmol/mol were: dapagliflozin - 78.0 (25.3), canagliflozin - 80.0 (25.5), and empagliflozin - 75.0 (23.5) respectively. The respective median HbA1c reduction at 12 months and the latest review (just prior to the study) were: 66.5 (22.8) & 69.0 (24.0), 67.0 (16.3) & 66.0 (28.0), and 67.0 (22.5) & 66.5 (25.8) respectively (P < 0.001 for all comparisons from baseline). Significant improvements in body weight (in kilograms) from baseline to study end were noticed with dapagliflozin - 101 (29.5) to 92.2 (25.6), and canagliflozin 100 (28.3) to 95.3 (27.5) only. Significant reductions in median systolic and diastolic BP, from 144 (21) mmHg to 139 (23) mmHg; (P = 0.015), and from 82 (16) mmHg to 78 (19) mmHg; (P < 0.001) respectively were also observed. A significant reduction of microalbuminuria was observed with canagliflozin only [ACR 14.6 (42.6) at baseline to 8.9 (23.7) at the study end; P = 0.043]. Adverse effects of SGLT-2i were as follows: genital thrush and urinary infection - 20 (8.8%) & 17 (7.5%) with dapagliflozin; 9 (5.6%) & 5 (3.13%) with canagliflozin; and 4 (5%) & 4 (5%) with empagliflozin. Diabetic ketoacidosis was observed in 4 (1.8%) with dapagliflozin and 1 (0.63%) with canagliflozin.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of patients with SGLT-2i is associated with statistically significant reductions in HbA1c, body weight, and better than those reported in RCTs, with low side effect profiles. A review of large-scale real-world data is needed to inform better clinical practice decision making.

Periodontitis: An often-neglected complication of diabetes

The bidirectional association between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and periodontitis is now well established, resulting in periodontal disease being considered as the 6th major complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) after car-diovascular disease, eye disease, neuropathy, nephropathy, and peripheral vascular disease. DM can worsen the virulence and invasiveness of pathogenic oral microbial flora aggravating the local inflammation and infection in those with periodontal disease. On the other hand, the chemical and immunological mediators released into the circulation as part of periodontal inflammation worsen the systemic insulin resistance with worsening of T2DM. Periodontitis if undiagnosed or left untreated can also result in eventual tooth loss. A study by Xu et al in the World Journal of Diabetes examined the predictive factors associated with periodontitis in Chinese patients with T2DM. The prevalence of periodontitis was found to be 75.7% in this study. Based on logistic regression analysis, the predictive factors for higher risk were low tooth brushing frequency [odds ratio (OR) = 4.3], high triglycerides (TG; OR = 3.31), high total cholesterol (TC; OR = 2.87), higher glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c; OR = 2.55), and higher age (OR = 1.05) while higher education level was protective (OR = 0.53). However, the most influential variables were HbA1c followed by age, TC, TG, low education level, brushing frequency, and sex on the random forest model (this model showed higher sensitivity for predicting the risk). A good understanding of the predictors for periodontitis in T2DM patients is important in prevention, early detection of susceptible patients, and intervention to improve periodontal health and enable long-term glycaemic control as observed by Xu et al.

Acute worsening of microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus during rapid glycemic control: The pathobiology and therapeutic implications

While chronic hyperglycaemia resulting from poorly controlled diabetes mellitus (DM) is a well-known precursor to complications such as diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy (including autonomic neuropathy), and nephropathy, a paradoxical intensification of these complications can rarely occur with aggressive glycemic management resulting in a rapid reduction of glycated haemoglobin. Although, acute onset or worsening of retinopathy and treatment induced neuropathy of diabetes are more common among these complications, rarely other problems such as albuminuria, diabetic kidney disease, Charcot's neuroarthropathy, gastroparesis, and urinary bladder dysfunction are also encountered. The World Journal of Diabetes recently published a rare case of all these complications, occurring in a young type 1 diabetic female intensely managed during pregnancy, as a case report by Huret et al. It is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the pathobiology, prevalence, predisposing factors, and management strategies for acute onset, or worsening of microvascular complications when rapid glycemic control is achieved, which serves to alleviate patient morbidity, enhance disease management compliance, and possibly to avoid medico-legal issues around this rare clinical problem. This editorial delves into the dynamics surrounding the acute exacerbation of microvascular complications in poorly controlled DM during rapid glycaemic control.

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease and sarcopenia: A double whammy

The prevalence of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has increased substantially in recent years because of the global obesity pandemic. MAFLD, now recognized as the number one cause of chronic liver disease in the world, not only increases liver-related morbidity and mortality among sufferers but also worsens the complications associated with other comorbid conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnoea, lipid disorders and sarcopenia. Understanding the interplay between MAFLD and these comorbidities is important to design optimal therapeutic strategies. Sarcopenia can be either part of the disease process that results in MAFLD (e.g., obesity or adiposity) or a consequence of MAFLD, especially in the advanced stages such as fibrosis and cirrhosis. Sarcopenia can also worsen MAFLD by reducing exercise capacity and by the production of various muscle-related chemical factors. Therefore, it is crucial to thoroughly understand how we deal with these diseases, especially when they coexist. We explore the pathobiological interlinks between MAFLD and sarcopenia in this comprehensive clinical update review article and propose evidence-based therapeutic strategies to enhance patient care.

In T2DM with obesity, time-restricted eating increased weight loss and reduced HbA1c level at 6 mo

SOURCE CITATION

Pavlou V, Cienfuegos S, Lin S, et al. Effect of time-restricted eating on weight loss in adults with type 2 diabetes: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6:e2339337. 37889487.

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease and Chronic Viral Hepatitis: The Interlink

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has now affected nearly one-third of the global population and has become the number one cause of chronic liver disease in the world because of the obesity pandemic. Chronic hepatitis resulting from hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) remain significant challenges to liver health even in the 21st century. The co-existence of MAFLD and chronic viral hepatitis can markedly alter the disease course of individual diseases and can complicate the management of each of these disorders. A thorough understanding of the pathobiological interactions between MAFLD and these two chronic viral infections is crucial for appropriately managing these patients. In this comprehensive clinical review, we discuss the various mechanisms of chronic viral hepatitis-mediated metabolic dysfunction and the impact of MAFLD on the progression of liver disease.

Clinical Profile and Factors Associated with Adverse Outcomes in Coronavirus Disease 2019-associated Mucormycosis: A Single-centre Study

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was associated with an increased incidence of mucormycosis globally. However, the clinical pattern, epidemiologic features and risk factors for adverse outcomes are not well established. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the data from patients hospitalized with proven mucormycosis between April 2021 and August 2021. Patients were managed with a multi-disciplinary approach involving medical, surgical, and comorbidity treatment. The clinical presentation, management details, complications and outcomes, including mortality, were reviewed from clinical records. Results: The mean age of presentation was 53.7 (± 11.8) years, and 88 (84.6%) were men. Of the 104 cases with COVID-19-associated mucormycosis, 97 (93.27%) patients had diabetes, and 80.8% had a haemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) of ≥6.4% at diagnosis. Seventy percent of diabetes cases experienced steroid-induced hyperglycaemia during treatment. Even with appropriate treatment, 17 (16.35%) patients died. High HbA1c and creatinine levels, presence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), need for intensive care unit admission, and orbital evisceration were the risk factors associated with high mortality on multivariate logistic regression analysis. Cox regression analysis revealed that the overall mortality increased by a factor of 12% with each 1 percentage point increase in HbA1c ≥6.4% (hazard ratio 1.12; 95% confidence interval 0.95- 1.31). The mortality risk was even higher when diabetes was associated with CKD (hazard ratio 1.82; 95% confidence interval 0.24-14.00). Conclusion: High HbA1c and creatinine levels, intensive care unit admission, CKD, and aggressive disease requiring orbital evisceration are the predictors of mortality in patients with COVID-19-associated mucormycosis. Patients with these risk factors should be managed more actively to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Endocrine Hypertension: The Urgent Need for Greater Global Awareness

Hypertension affects about 1.28 billion adults globally, and significantly increases the risk of chronic morbidity and mortality among sufferers. About 15% of these individuals have secondary hypertension, the majority of whom have dysfunction of one or more endocrine systems as the cause of hypertension. Although adrenal disorders are often identified as the cause of endocrine hypertension, extra-adrenal disease and pituitary disorders also can cause the disease. Timely diagnosis is of paramount importance, because of the potential for a surgical cure or optimal disease control with pharmacotherapy to prevent hypertensive complications. Even with its relatively high prevalence compared with many other chronic illnesses, the diagnosis of endocrine hypertension is often delayed or never made because of poor awareness about the disease among physicians. This review attempts to provide an overview of the disease, with some practical aspects of diagnosis and management of a few of the important disorders causing endocrine hypertension.

Artificial intelligence for automated detection of diabetic foot ulcers: A real-world proof-of-concept clinical evaluation

OBJECTIVE

Conduct a multicenter proof-of-concept clinical evaluation to assess the accuracy of an artificial intelligence system on a smartphone for automated detection of diabetic foot ulcers.

METHODS

The evaluation was undertaken with patients with diabetes (n = 81) from September 2020 to January 2021. A total of 203 foot photographs were collected using a smartphone, analysed using the artificial intelligence system, and compared against expert clinician judgement, with 162 images showing at least one ulcer, and 41 showing no ulcer. Sensitivity and specificity of the system against clinician decisions was determined and inter- and intra-rater reliability analysed.

RESULTS

Predictions/decisions made by the system showed excellent sensitivity (0.9157) and high specificity (0.8857). Merging of intersecting predictions improved specificity to 0.9243. High levels of inter- and intra-rater reliability for clinician agreement on the ability of the artificial intelligence system to detect diabetic foot ulcers was also demonstrated (Kα > 0.8000 for all studies, between and within raters).

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrate highly accurate automated diabetic foot ulcer detection using an artificial intelligence system with a low-end smartphone. This is the first key stage in the creation of a fully automated diabetic foot ulcer detection and monitoring system, with these findings underpinning medical device development.

Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation for end-stage renal failure in type 1 diabetes mellitus: Current perspectives

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is one of the important causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal failure (ESRF). Even with the best available treatment options, management of T1DM poses significant challenges for cli nicians across the world, especially when associated with CKD and ESRF. Substantial increases in morbidity and mortality along with marked rise in treatment costs and marked reduction of quality of life are the usual consequences of onset of CKD and progression to ESRF in patients with T1DM. Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant (SPK) is an attractive and promising treatment option for patients with advanced CKD/ESRF and T1DM for potential cure of these diseases and possibly several complications. However, limited availability of the organs for transplantation, the need for long-term immunosuppression to prevent rejection, peri- and post-operative complications of SPK, lack of resources and the expertise for the procedure in many centers, and the cost implications related to the surgery and postoperative care of these patients are major issues faced by clinicians across the globe. This clinical update review compiles the latest evidence and current recommendations of SPK for patients with T1DM and advanced CKD/ESRF to enable clinicians to care for these diseases.

Artificial intelligence in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer: Recent advances and future directions

The diagnosis and management of thyroid cancer is fraught with challenges despite the advent of innovative diagnostic, surgical, and chemotherapeutic modalities. Challenges like inaccuracy in prognostication, uncertainty in cytopathological diagnosis, trouble in differentiating follicular neoplasms, intra-observer and inter-observer variability on ultrasound imaging preclude personalised treatment in thyroid cancer. Artificial intelligence (AI) is bringing a paradigm shift to the healthcare, powered by quick advancement of the analytic techniques. Several recent studies have shown remarkable progress in thyroid cancer diagnostics based on AI-assisted algorithms. Application of AI techniques in thyroid ultrasonography and cytopathology have shown remarkable impro-vement in sensitivity and specificity over the traditional diagnostic modalities. AI has also been explored in the development of treatment algorithms for indeterminate nodules and for prognostication in the patients with thyroid cancer. The benefits of high repeatability and straightforward implementation of AI in the management of thyroid cancer suggest that it holds promise for clinical application. Limited clinical experience and lack of prospective validation studies remain the biggest drawbacks. Developing verified and trustworthy algorithms after extensive testing and validation using prospective, multi-centre trials is crucial for the future use of AI in the pipeline of precision medicine in the management of thyroid cancer.

Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease: A Disastrous Human Health Challenge

The pathobiology of MAFLD is such a big puzzle, and many of the metabolic and other health consequences of the disease are not yet fully elucidated. In their review on "Pathobiology of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease," Fouda and colleagues update the current evidence on the disease characteristics. The prevalence of MAFLD has reached epidemic proportions in children and young adults in the recent years, with figures reaching as high as 15% owing to the global obesity pandemic. Vespoli and colleagues in their review "MAFLD in childhood and adolescence" portray the latest updates and new emerging therapies for pediatric MAFLD. Gofton and colleagues update the association between metabolically unhealthy visceral adiposity and MAFLD in individuals with "normal body weight" in their review "Lean MAFLD." The pathobiological link between dyslipidemia and MAFLD is elaborated by Anwar and colleagues with the therapeutic algorithms. Ren and colleagues summarize evidence surrounding cardiovascular disease and MAFLD and analyze management strategies focusing on prevention of cardiovascular disease in MAFLD. Another important review by Kapoor and Kalra discusses the hot topic of diabetes and MAFLD and portrays the latest management strategies for both diseases. Barber and colleagues thoroughly review the gut-liver axis in the context of gut dysbiosis in MAFLD. Sarcopenia and MAFLD is the theme of the review by Bali and colleagues. This article emphasizes the importance of early identification of sarcopenia in patients with MAFLD and vice versa. Obstructive sleep apnea and MAFLD are often underdiagnosed and inadequately managed. Preshy and Brown in their review highlight the association between these common disorders to enhance the global awareness with updated evaluation and management strategies in their review. Mandato and colleagues review current literature on pregnancy and MAFLD and update the best clinical approach in their article. The interlink between polycystic ovary syndrome and MAFLD, their coexistence, diagnosis, and current management strategies are critically apprised by Vidal-Cevallos and colleagues in their review. Venkatesan and Haroon successively provide more important evidence for the clinical management of MAFLD with additional focus on minority groups and currently available therapies.

Adrenal Failure: An Evidence-Based Diagnostic Approach

The diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency (AI) requires a high index of suspicion, detailed clinical assessment including detailed drug history, and appropriate laboratory evaluation. The clinical characteristics of adrenal insufficiency vary according to the cause, and the presentation may be myriad, e.g. insidious onset to a catastrophic adrenal crisis presenting with circulatory shock and coma. Secondary adrenal insufficiency (SAI) often presents with only glucocorticoid deficiency because aldosterone production, which is controlled by the renin angiotensin system, is usually intact, and rarely presents with an adrenal crisis. Measurements of the basal serum cortisol at 8 am (<140 nmol/L or 5 mcg/dL) coupled with adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) remain the initial tests of choice. The cosyntropin stimulation (short synacthen) test is used for the confirmation of the diagnosis. Newer highly specific cortisol assays have reduced the cut-off points for cortisol in the diagnosis of AI. The salivary cortisol test is increasingly being used in conditions associated with abnormal cortisol binding globulin (CBG) levels such as pregnancy. Children and infants require lower doses of cosyntropin for testing. 21-hydoxylase antibodies are routinely evaluated to rule out autoimmunity, the absence of which would require secondary causes of adrenal insufficiency to be ruled out. Testing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, imaging, and ruling out systemic causes are necessary for the diagnosis of AI. Cancer treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) is an emerging cause of both primary AI and SAI and requires close follow up. Several antibodies are being implicated, but more clarity is required. We update the diagnostic evaluation of AI in this evidence-based review.

Individualized diabetes care: Lessons from the real-world experience

Diabetes care is often difficult without a proper collaboration between the patient and the care provider as the disease is mostly self-managed by patients through adjustments in their lifestyles, and medication doses to optimise glycaemic control. Most clinical guidelines on the management of diabetes mellitus (DM) provide only broad principles on diabetes care, and the blind follow-up of such principles without a proper review and consideration of patient characteristics often results in inadequate glycaemic control and diabetes complications consequently. Therefore, a proper understanding of the pathobiology, clinical situation, and comorbidities of the individual case is of paramount importance to tailoring the most appropriate management strategy in real-world diabetes care. With the aid of five unique cases of DM [(1) Medically managed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with severe obesity; (2) Management of T2DM with unreliable glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c); (3) Obesity in a patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM); and (4) Late diagnosis and subsequent management of monogenic diabetes and 5. Sudden worsening of well-controlled T2DM)] we elaborate on the importance of individualised diabetes care and the practicalities in these situations. The review also provides an evidence update on the management of different forms of DM to guide physicians in optimising the care of their patients in day-to-day clinical practice.

Management of diabesity: Current concepts

The global prevalence of obesity is increasing rapidly with an exponential rise in incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in recent years. ‘Diabesity’, the term coined to show the strong interlink between obesity and diabetes, is the direct cons-equence of the obesity pandemic, and poses significant challenges in the management of the disease. Without addressing the clinical and mechanistic complications of obesity such as metabolic-associated fatty liver disease and obstructive sleep apnoea, a rational management algorithm for diabesity cannot be developed. Several classes of anti-diabetic medications including insulins, sulphonylureas, thiazolidinediones and meglitinides are associated with the risk of weight gain and may potentially worsen diabesity. Therefore, appropriate selection of antidiabetic drug regimen is crucial in the medical management of diabesity. The role of non-pharmacological measures such as dietary adjustments, exercise interventions and bariatric procedures should also be emphasised. Unfortunately, the importance of appropriate and optimal management of diabesity is often overlooked by medical professionals when achieving adequate glycemic control which results in inappropriate management of the disease and its complications. This review provides a narrative clinical update on the evidence behind the management of diabesity.

Parathyroidectomy for adults with primary hyperparathyroidism

BACKGROUND

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), a disorder in which the parathyroid glands produce excessive amounts of parathyroid hormone, is most common in older adults and postmenopausal women. While most people with PHPT are asymptomatic at diagnosis, symptomatic disease can lead to hypercalcaemia, osteoporosis, renal stones, cardiovascular abnormalities and reduced quality of life. Surgical removal of abnormal parathyroid tissue (parathyroidectomy) is the only established treatment for adults with symptomatic PHPT to prevent exacerbation of symptoms and to be cured of PHPT. However, the benefits and risks of parathyroidectomy compared to simple observation or medical therapy for asymptomatic and mild PHPT are not well established.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the benefits and harms of parathyroidectomy in adults with PHPT compared to simple observation or medical therapy.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, LILACS, ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO ICTRP from their date of inception until 26 November 2021. We applied no language restrictions.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing parathyroidectomy with simple observation or medical therapy for the treatment of adults with PHPT.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were 1. cure of PHPT, 2. morbidity related to PHPT and 3. serious adverse events. Our secondary outcomes were 1. all-cause mortality, 2. health-related quality of life and 3. hospitalisation for hypercalcaemia, acute renal impairment or pancreatitis. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of the evidence for each outcome.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified eight eligible RCTs that included 447 adults with (mostly asymptomatic) PHPT; 223 participants were randomised to parathyroidectomy. Follow-up duration varied from six months to 24 months. Of the 223 participants (37 men) randomised to surgery, 164 were included in the analyses, of whom 163 were cured at six to 24 months (overall cure rate 99%). Parathyroidectomy compared to observation probably results in a large increase in cure rate at six to 24 months follow-up: 163/164 participants (99.4%) in the parathyroidectomy group and 0/169 participants in the observation or medical therapy group were cured of their PHPT (8 studies, 333 participants; moderate certainty).  No studies explicitly reported intervention effects on morbidities related to PHPT, such as osteoporosis, osteopenia, kidney dysfunction, urolithiasis, cognitive dysfunction or cardiovascular disease, although some studies reported surrogate outcomes for osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. A post-hoc analysis revealed that parathyroidectomy, compared to observation or medical therapy, may have little or no effect after one to two years on bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine (mean difference (MD) 0.03 g/cm2,95% CI -0.05 to 0.12; 5 studies, 287 participants; very low certainty). Similarly, compared to observation, parathyroidectomy may have little or no effect on femoral neck BMD after one to two years (MD -0.01 g/cm2, 95% CI -0.13 to 0.11; 3 studies, 216 participants; very low certainty). However, the evidence is very uncertain for both BMD outcomes. Furthermore, the evidence is very uncertain about the effect of parathyroidectomy on improving left ventricular ejection fraction (MD -2.38%, 95% CI -4.77 to 0.01; 3 studies, 121 participants; very low certainty). Four studies reported serious adverse events. Three of these reported zero events in both the intervention and control groups; consequently, we were unable to include data from these three studies in the pooled analysis. The evidence suggests that parathyroidectomy compared to observation may have little or no effect on serious adverse events (RR 3.35, 95% CI 0.14 to 78.60; 4 studies, 168 participants; low certainty).  Only two studies reported all-cause mortality. One study could not be included in the pooled analysis as zero events were observed in both the intervention and control groups. Parathyroidectomy compared to observation may have little or no effect on all-cause mortality, but the evidence is very uncertain (RR 2.11, 95% CI 0.20 to 22.60; 2 studies, 133 participants; very low certainty). Three studies measured health-related quality of life using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and reported inconsistent differences in scores for different domains of the questionnaire between parathyroidectomy and observation. Six studies reported hospitalisations for the correction of hypercalcaemia. Two studies reported zero events in both the intervention and control groups and could not be included in the pooled analysis. Parathyroidectomy, compared to observation, may have little or no effect on hospitalisation for hypercalcaemia (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.20 to 4.25; 6 studies, 287 participants; low certainty). There were no reported hospitalisations for renal impairment or pancreatitis.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

In accordance with the literature, our review findings suggest that parathyroidectomy, compared to simple observation or medical (etidronate) therapy, probably results in a large increase in cure rates of PHPT (with normalisation of serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels to laboratory reference values). Parathyroidectomy, compared with observation, may have little or no effect on serious adverse events or hospitalisation for hypercalcaemia, and the evidence is very uncertain about the effect of parathyroidectomy on other short-term outcomes, such as BMD, all-cause mortality and quality of life. The high uncertainty of evidence limits the applicability of our findings to clinical practice; indeed, this systematic review provides no new insights with regard to treatment decisions for people with (asymptomatic) PHPT. In addition, the methodological limitations of the included studies, and the characteristics of the study populations (mainly comprising white women with asymptomatic PHPT), warrant caution when extrapolating the results to other populations with PHPT. Large-scale multi-national, multi-ethnic and long-term RCTs are needed to explore the potential short- and long-term benefits of parathyroidectomy compared to non-surgical treatment options with regard to osteoporosis or osteopenia, urolithiasis, hospitalisation for acute kidney injury, cardiovascular disease and quality of life.

Pathobiology of Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, is highly associated with the metabolic syndrome. Given its high heterogeneity in patients along with unpredictable clinical outcomes, MAFLD is difficult to diagnose and manage. MAFLD is associated with obesity, diabetes, metabolic derangements, lipid disorders, cardiovascular disorders, sleep apnea, sarcopenia, gut dysbiosis, and sex hormone-related disorders. Identification of risk factors is imperative in understanding disease heterogeneity and clinical presentation to reliably diagnose and manage patients. The complexity of MAFLD pathobiology is discussed in this review in relation to its association with common metabolic and nonmetabolic disorders.

Diabetes and cognitive function: An evidence-based current perspective

Several epidemiological studies have clearly identified diabetes mellitus (DM) as a major risk factor for cognitive dysfunction, and it is going to be a major public health issue in the coming years because of the alarming rise in diabetes prevalence across the world. Brain and neural tissues predominantly depend on glucose as energy substrate and hence, any alterations in carbohydrate meta-bolism can directly impact on cerebral functional output including cognition, executive capacity, and memory. DM affects neuronal function and mental capacity in several ways, some of which include hypoperfusion of the brain tissues from cerebrovascular disease, diabetes-related alterations of glucose transporters causing abnormalities in neuronal glucose uptake and metabolism, local hyper- and hypometabolism of brain areas from insulin resistance, and recurrent hypoglycemic episodes inherent to pharmacotherapy of diabetes resulting in neuronal damage. Cognitive decline can further worsen diabetes care as DM is a disease largely self-managed by patients. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the pathobiology of cognitive dysfunction in relation to DM and its management for optimal long-term care plan for patients. A thorough appraisal of normal metabolic characteristics of the brain, how alterations in neural metabolism affects cognition, the diagnostic algorithm for patients with diabetes and dementia, and the management and prognosis of patients when they have this dangerous combination of illnesses is imperative in this context. This evidence-based narrative with the back-up of latest clinical trial reviews elaborates the current understanding on diabetes and cognitive function to empower physicians to manage their patients in day-to-day clinical practice.

Clinical implications of COVID-19 in patients with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease

People across the world are affected by the "coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)", brought on by the "SARS-CoV type-2 coronavirus". Due to its high incidence in individuals with diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), COVID-19 has gained much attention. The metabolic syndrome's hepatic manifestation, MAFLD, carries a significant risk of type-2-diabetes. The link between the above two conditions has also drawn increasing consideration since MAFLD is intricately linked to the obesity epidemic. Independent of the metabolic syndrome, MAFLD may impact the severity of the viral infections, including COVID-19 or may even be a risk factor. An important question is whether the present COVID-19 pandemic has been fueled by the obesity and MAFLD epidemics. Many liver markers are seen elevated in COVID-19. MAFLD patients with associated comorbid conditions like obesity, cardiovascular disease, renal disease, malignancy, hypertension, and old age are prone to develop severe disease. There is an urgent need for more studies to determine the link between the two conditions and whether it might account for racial differences in the mortality and morbidity rates linked to COVID-19. The role of innate and adaptive immunity alterations in MAFLD patients may influence the severity of COVID-19. This review investigates the implications of COVID-19 on liver injury and disease severity and vice-versa. We also addressed the severity of COVID-19 in patients with prior MAFLD and its potential implications and therapeutic administration in the clinical setting.

Management of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease: The diabetology perspective

The metabolic syndrome as a consequence of the obesity pandemic resulted in a substantial increase in the prevalence of metabolic-associated fatty live disease (MAFLD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Because of the similarity in pathobiology shared between T2DM and MAFLD, both disorders coexist in many patients and may potentiate the disease-related outcomes with rapid progression and increased complications of the individual diseases. In fact, awareness about this coexistence and the risk of complications are often overlooked by both hepatologists and diabetologists. Management of these individual disorders in a patient should be addressed wholistically using an appropriate multidisciplinary team approach involving both the specialists and, when necessary, liaising with dieticians and surgeons. This comprehensive review is to compile the current evidence from a diabetologist's perspective on MAFLD and T2DM and to suggest optimal management strategies.

The role of artificial intelligence technology in the care of diabetic foot ulcers: the past, the present, and the future

Foot ulcers are common complications of diabetes mellitus and substantially increase the morbidity and mortality due to this disease. Wound care by regular monitoring of the progress of healing with clinical review of the ulcers, dressing changes, appropriate antibiotic therapy for infection and proper offloading of the ulcer are the cornerstones of the management of foot ulcers. Assessing the progress of foot ulcers can be a challenge for the clinician and patient due to logistic issues such as regular attendance in the clinic. Foot clinics are often busy and because of manpower issues, ulcer reviews can be delayed with detrimental effects on the healing as a result of a lack of appropriate and timely changes in management. Wound photographs have been historically useful to assess the progress of diabetic foot ulcers over the past few decades. Mobile phones with digital cameras have recently revolutionized the capture of foot ulcer images. Patients can send ulcer photographs to diabetes care professionals electronically for remote monitoring, largely avoiding the logistics of patient transport to clinics with a reduction on clinic pressures. Artificial intelligence-based technologies have been developed in recent years to improve this remote monitoring of diabetic foot ulcers with the use of mobile apps. This is expected to make a huge impact on diabetic foot ulcer care with further research and development of more accurate and scientific technologies in future. This clinical update review aims to compile evidence on this hot topic to empower clinicians with the latest developments in the field.

Statin-related Muscle Toxicity: An Evidence-based Review

The efficacy of statins in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease has been proven beyond doubt. The number needed to treat to prevent one cardiovascular event is 1 in 30 over 10 years, and the number needed to treat for secondary prevention is much lower. However, a recent study demonstrated that only 68% of eligible patients are on statin therapy. Moreover, there seems to be a reluctance to escalate statin doses due to the fear of adverse effects. The adverse effects that worries patients and their physicians most frequently are those related to muscular symptoms. N-of-1 trial evidence suggests that muscular symptoms attributed to statins are often caused by the nocebo effect. This article aims to provide a structured, evidence-based approach to suspected statin-related muscle toxicity.

Pregnancy and Metabolic-associated Fatty Liver Disease: A Clinical Update

The intricate relationship between metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and maternal complications has rapidly become a significant health threat in pregnant women. The presence of MAFLD in pregnancy increases the maternal risk of metabolic complications and comorbidities for both mother and baby. The preexistence or development of MAFLD in pregnancy is a complex multifactorial disorder that can lead to further complications for mother and baby. Therefore, as pregnant women are severely underrepresented in clinical research, there is a great need for a fair inclusion of this group in clinical trials. This review aims to explore the effects of MAFLD during pregnancy in the context of maternal complications and outcomes and explore the effects of pregnancy on the development and progression of MAFLD within the context of maternal obesity, altered metabolic profiles, gestational diabetes and altered hormonal profiles. We also addressed potential implications for the presence of MAFLD during pregnancy and its management in the clinical setting.

Diagnostic Test Accuracy of Urine C-peptide Creatinine Ratio for the Correct Identification of the Type of Diabetes: A Systematic Review

Objective: To examine the accuracy of urine c-peptide creatinine ratio (UCPCR) for identifying the type of diabetes in appropriate clinical settings. Design: Systematic review of test accuracy studies on patients with different forms of diabetes. Data sources: Medline, Embase and Cochrane library databases from 1 January 2000 to 15 November 2020. Eligibility criteria: Studies reporting the use of UCPCR for diagnosing patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and monogenic forms of diabetes (categorized as maturity-onset diabetes of the young [MODY]). Study selection and data synthesis: Two reviewers independently assessed articles for inclusion and assessed the methodological quality of the studies using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool, with input from a third reviewer to reach consensus when there was a dispute. Meta-analysis was performed with the studies reporting complete data to derive the pooled sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and narrative synthesis only for those with incomplete data. Results: Nine studies with 4,488 patients were included in the qualitative synthesis, while only four of these (915 patients) had complete data and were included in the quantitative synthesis. All the studies had moderate risk of bias and applicability concerns. Meta-analysis of three studies (n=130) revealed sensitivity, specificity and DOR of 84.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 68.1-93.2%), 91.6% (82.8-96.1%) and 59.9 (32.8-106.0), respectively, for diagnosing T1DM using a UCPCR cut-off of <0.2 nmol/mmol. For participants with T2DM (three studies; n=739), UCPCR >0.2 nmol/mmol was associated with sensitivity, specificity and DOR of 92.8% (84.2-96.9%), 81.6% (61.3-92.5%) and 56.9 (31.3-103.5), respectively. For patients with MODY in the appropriate clinical setting, a UCPCR cut-off of >0.2 nmol/mmol showed sensitivity, specificity and DOR of 85.2% (73.1-92.4%), 98.0% (92.4-99.5%) and 281.8 (57.5-1,379.7), respectively. Conclusions: Based on studies with moderate risk of bias and applicability concerns, UCPCR confers moderate to high sensitivity, specificity, and DOR for correctly identifying T1DM, T2DM and monogenic diabetes in appropriate clinical settings. Large multinational studies with multi-ethnic participation among different age groups are necessary before this test can be routinely used in clinical practice. Study registration: Protocol was registered as PROSPERO CRD42017060633.

Pharmacotherapy of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy: A Clinical Update

The rising prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) leads on to an increase in chronic diabetic complications. Diabetic peripheral neuropathies (DPNs) are common chronic complications of diabetes. Distal symmetric polyneuropathy is the most prevalent form. Most patients with DPN will remain pain-free; however, painful DPN (PDPN) occurs in 6-34% of all DM patients and is associated with reduced health-related-quality-of-life and substantial economic burden. Symptomatic treatment of PDPN and diabetic autonomic neuropathy is the key treatment goals. Using certain patient related characteristics, subjects with PDPN can be stratified and assigned targeted therapies to produce better pain outcomes. The aim of this review is to discuss the various pathogenetic mechanisms of DPN with special reference to the mechanisms leading to PDPN and the various pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies available for its management. Recommended pharmacological therapies include anticonvulsants, antidepressants, opioid analgesics, and topical medications.

Catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy: an endocrinologist's perspective

Although many endocrine diseases can be associated with acquired cardiomyopathy and heart failure, conditions except hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, phaeochromocytoma-paraganglioma (PPGL), and primary hyperaldosteronism are rare. PPGL is a rare catecholamine-secreting neuroendocrine tumour arising from the adrenal gland in 80-85% or extra-adrenal chromaffin cells of the autonomic neural ganglia in the remainder. The annual incidence of PPGL is 3-8 cases per million per year in the general population. Catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy (CICMP) has got a prevalence of 8-11% among patients with PPGL. Hypertension, either sustained or episodic, is present in the vast majority (95%) of PPGL patients. However, among patients with CICMP, hypertension is present only in 65% of cases and the classical triad of paroxysmal headache, sweating, and palpitation is present only in 4%. Based on the cardiac remodelling in response to endogenous catecholamine excess, PPGL patients might present with one of the three CICMPs, including dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM). Regardless of the subtypes, all CICMPs have many features in common - a dramatic clinical presentation, reversible cardiomyopathy, similar repolarisation electrocardiography changes, mild-moderate cardiac biomarker elevation, and normal coronary arteries on coronary angiography. CICMP should be suspected in patients with non-ischaemic, non-valvular forms of cardiomyopathy, even in those without definite features of catecholamine excess. PPGL associated TCM should be suspected in all acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients exhibiting pronounced blood pressure variability with no culprit lesions on coronary angiography. This article will provide a review of the various CICMPs, their pathophysiology, clinical features, and the management options.

Vitamin D Deficiency Is Associated With Higher Hospitalization Risk From COVID-19: A Retrospective Case-control Study

CONTEXT

One risk factor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is postulated to be vitamin D deficiency. To better understand the role of vitamin D deficiency in the disease course of COVID-19, we undertook a retrospective case-control study in North West England.

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether hospitalization with COVID-19 is more prevalent in individuals with lower vitamin D levels.

METHODS

The study included individuals with test results for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) between April 1, 2020, and January 29, 2021, from 2 districts in North West England. The last 25(OH)D level in the previous 12 months was categorized as "deficient" if less than 25 nmol/L and "insufficient" if 25 to 50 nmol/L.

RESULTS

The study included 80 670 participants. Of these, 1808 were admitted to the hospital with COVID-19, of whom 670 died. In a primary cohort, median serum 25(OH)D in nonhospitalized participants with COVID-19 was 50.0 nmol/L (interquartile range [IQR], 34.0-66.7) vs 35.0 nmol/L (IQR, 21.0-57.0) in those admitted with COVID-19 (P < 0.005). In a validation cohort, median serum 25(OH)D was 47.1 nmol/L (IQR, 31.8-64.7) in nonhospitalized vs 33.0 nmol/L (IQR, 19.4-54.1) in hospitalized patients. Age-, sex-, and season-adjusted odds ratios for hospital admission were 2.3 to 2.4 times higher among participants with serum 25(OH)D <50 nmol/L compared with those with normal serum 25(OH)D levels, without excess mortality risk.

CONCLUSION

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with higher risk of COVID-19 hospitalization. Widespread measurement of serum 25(OH)D and treatment of insufficiency or deficiency may reduce this risk.

Deep learning in diabetic foot ulcers detection: A comprehensive evaluation

There has been a substantial amount of research involving computer methods and technology for the detection and recognition of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), but there is a lack of systematic comparisons of state-of-the-art deep learning object detection frameworks applied to this problem. DFUC2020 provided participants with a comprehensive dataset consisting of 2,000 images for training and 2,000 images for testing. This paper summarizes the results of DFUC2020 by comparing the deep learning-based algorithms proposed by the winning teams: Faster R-CNN, three variants of Faster R-CNN and an ensemble method; YOLOv3; YOLOv5; EfficientDet; and a new Cascade Attention Network. For each deep learning method, we provide a detailed description of model architecture, parameter settings for training and additional stages including pre-processing, data augmentation and post-processing. We provide a comprehensive evaluation for each method. All the methods required a data augmentation stage to increase the number of images available for training and a post-processing stage to remove false positives. The best performance was obtained from Deformable Convolution, a variant of Faster R-CNN, with a mean average precision (mAP) of 0.6940 and an F1-Score of 0.7434. Finally, we demonstrate that the ensemble method based on different deep learning methods can enhance the F1-Score but not the mAP.

Non-functioning pituitary macroadenomas: factors affecting postoperative recurrence, and pre- and post-surgical endocrine and visual function

BACKGROUND

Non-functioning pituitary macroadenomas (NFPAs) with visual field defects are ideally managed by transsphenoidal tumour resection to improve vision, and long-term postsurgical follow up is necessary to monitor for tumour recurrence. Regular updates from global data are necessary for developing optimal management strategies of these tumours.

METHODS

Pre- and postoperative visual and endocrine profile, imaging characteristics and details of surgical interventions among patients with NFPAs managed between 2008 and 2019 in a UK regional centre were assessed. The radiological and surgical outcomes including postoperative complications, recurrence risk and the factors influencing outcomes also were assessed.

RESULTS

105 cases with mean (SD) age 60.1 (14.3) years and follow-up duration 60 (37) months were studied. 67 (64%) patients were male. Five-year recurrence-free survival rate was 71.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 62.7% to 81.6%) with 33 (31%) tumour recurrences of whom 20 (60%) received radiotherapy and 9 (27%) underwent further surgery. Younger age, tumour volume, and bilateral cavernous sinus extension were the predictors of recurrence on univariate analysis, while younger age was the only factor on multivariate analysis (Hazard ratio 0.95; 95% CI: 0.92, 0.97). 72/78 patients (92%) with preoperative visual field defects improved after surgery, of whom 27 (35%) had full recovery. 20 (24%) patients had recovery of an abnormal hormone axis. 15 patients (16%) developed perioperative complications such as cerebrospinal fluid leak (12 cases), meningitis (2 cases), and bleeding (2 cases).

CONCLUSIONS

Five-year recurrence-free survival after transsphenoidal resection for NFPAs was 71.5% with older age at surgery conferring lower risk of recurrence. Visual recovery/ improvement occurred in 92% of cases with preoperative visual defects following surgery.

Epidemiological link between obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and cancer

There exists a complex interaction between obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cancer, and an increase in the incidence of cancer is expected with the growing obesity-diabetes pandemic. The association of cancer with diabetes mellitus and obesity appears to be site-specific, the highest risk being for post-menopausal breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and colorectal cancer. Moreover, there is worsening of hyperglycaemia with the onset of cancer, evidencing a bi-directional link between cancer and diabetes mellitus and the need for monitoring for diabetes in cancer survivors. In this review, we look at the epidemiological evidence from observational studies and Mendelian randomization studies linking obesity, diabetes, and cancer, as well as the complex pathophysiological mechanisms involved, including insulin resistance with associated hyperinsulinaemia, the effect of chronic low-grade inflammation, and the effect of various adipokines that are associated with obesity and T2DM. Additionally, we describe the novel therapeutic strategies, based on their role on the discrete pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the tumourigenesis.

The combined effects of obesity and ageing on skeletal muscle function and tendon properties in vivo in men

PURPOSE

We investigated the combined impact of ageing and obesity on Achilles tendon (AT) properties in vivo in men, utilizing three classification methods of obesity.

METHOD

Forty healthy, untrained men were categorised by age (young (18-49 years); older (50-80 years)), body mass index (BMI; normal weight (≥18.5-<25); overweight (≥25-<30); obese (≥30)), body fat% (normal adipose (<28%); high adiposity (≥28%)) and fat mass index (FMI; normal (3-6); excess fat (>6-9); high fat (>9). Assessment of body composition used dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, gastrocnemius medialis (GM)/AT properties used dynamometry and ultrasonography and endocrine profiling used multiplex luminometry.

RESULTS

Older men had lower total range of motion (ROM; -11%; P = 0.020), GM AT force (-29%; P < 0.001), stiffness (-18%; P = 0.041), Young's modulus (-22%; P = 0.011) and AT stress (-28%; P < 0.001). All three methods of classifying obesity revealed obesity to be associated with lower total ROM (P = 0.014-0.039). AT cross sectional area (CSA) was larger with higher BMI (P = 0.030). However, after controlling for age, higher BMI only tended to be associated with greater tendon stiffness (P = 0.074). Interestingly, both AT CSA and stiffness were positively correlated with body mass (r = 0.644 and r = 0.520) and BMI (r = 0.541 and r = 0.493) in the young but not older adults. Finally, negative relationships were observed between AT CSA and pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to provide evidence of positive adaptations in tendon stiffness and size in vivo resulting from increased mass and BMI in young but not older men, irrespective of obesity classification.

Discrepancies in the clinical and radiological profiles of COVID-19: A case-based discussion and review of literature

The current gold standard for the diagnosis of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is a positive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test, on the background of clinical suspicion. However, RT-PCR has its limitations; this includes issues of low sensitivity, sampling errors and appropriate timing of specimen collection. As pulmonary involvement is the most common manifestation of severe COVID-19, early and appropriate lung imaging is important to aid diagnosis. However, gross discrepancies can occur between the clinical and imaging findings in patients with COVID-19, which can mislead clinicians in their decision making. Although chest X-ray (CXR) has a low sensitivity for the diagnosis of COVID-19 associated lung disease, especially in the earlier stages, a positive CXR increases the pre-test probability of COVID-19. CXR scoring systems have shown to be useful, such as the COVID-19 opacification rating score which helps to predict the need of tracheal intubation. Furthermore, artificial intelligence-based algorithms have also shown promise in differentiating COVID-19 pneumonia on CXR from other lung diseases. Although costlier than CXR, unenhanced computed tomographic (CT) chest scans have a higher sensitivity, but lesser specificity compared to RT-PCR for the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia. A semi-quantitative CT scoring system has been shown to predict short-term mortality. The routine use of CT pulmonary angiography as a first-line imaging modality in patients with suspected COVID-19 is not justifiable due to the risk of contrast nephropathy. Scoring systems similar to those pioneered in CXR and CT can be used to effectively plan and manage hospital resources such as ventilators. Lung ultrasound is useful in the assessment of critically ill COVID-19 patients in the hands of an experienced operator. Moreover, it is a convenient tool to monitor disease progression, as it is cheap, non-invasive, easily accessible and easy to sterilise. Newer lung imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for safe imaging among children, adolescents and pregnant women are rapidly evolving. Imaging modalities are also essential for evaluating the extra-pulmonary manifestations of COVID-19: these include cranial imaging with CT or MRI; cardiac imaging with ultrasonography (US), CT and MRI; and abdominal imaging with US or CT. This review critically analyses the utility of each imaging modality to empower clinicians to use them appropriately in the management of patients with COVID-19 infection.

Diabetic heart disease: A clinical update

Diabetes mellitus (DM) significantly increases the risk of heart disease, and DM-related healthcare expenditure is predominantly for the management of cardiovascular complications. Diabetic heart disease is a conglomeration of coronary artery disease (CAD), cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN), and diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). The Framingham study clearly showed a 2 to 4-fold excess risk of CAD in patients with DM. Pathogenic mechanisms, clinical presentation, and management options for DM-associated CAD are somewhat different from CAD among nondiabetics. Higher prevalence at a lower age and more aggressive disease in DM-associated CAD make diabetic individuals more vulnerable to premature death. Although common among diabetic individuals, CAN and DCM are often under-recognised and undiagnosed cardiac complications. Structural and functional alterations in the myocardial innervation related to uncontrolled diabetes result in damage to cardiac autonomic nerves, causing CAN. Similarly, damage to the cardiomyocytes from complex pathophysiological processes of uncontrolled DM results in DCM, a form of cardiomyopathy diagnosed in the absence of other causes for structural heart disease. Though optimal management of DM from early stages of the disease can reduce the risk of diabetic heart disease, it is often impractical in the real world due to many reasons. Therefore, it is imperative for every clinician involved in diabetes care to have a good understanding of the pathophysiology, clinical picture, diagnostic methods, and management of diabetes-related cardiac illness, to reduce morbidity and mortality among patients. This clinical review is to empower the global scientific fraternity with up-to-date knowledge on diabetic heart disease.

Metabolic complications of hepatitis C virus infection

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a systemic disease that is implicated in multiple extrahepatic organ dysfunction contributing to its protean manifestations. HCV is associated with diverse extrahepatic disorders including atherosclerosis, glucose and lipid metabolic disturbances, alterations in the iron metabolic pathways, and lymphoproliferative diseases over and above the traditional liver manifestations of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The orchestration between HCV major proteins and the liver-muscle-adipose axis, poses a major burden on the global health of human body organs, if not adequately addressed. The close and inseparable associations between chronic HCV infection, metabolic disease, and cardiovascular disorders are specifically important considering the increasing prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome, and their economic burden to patients, the healthcare systems, and society. Cellular and molecular mechanisms governing the interplay of these organs and tissues in health and disease are therefore of significant interest. The coexistence of metabolic disorders and chronic hepatitis C infection also enhances the progression to liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The presence of metabolic disorders is believed to influence the chronicity and virulence of HCV leading to liver disease progression. This comprehensive review highlights current knowledge on the metabolic manifestations of hepatitis C and the potential pathways in which these metabolic changes can influence the natural history of the disease.

Organ-specific Adverse Events of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy, with Special Reference to Endocrinopathies

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are potent and promising immunotherapeutic agents that are increasingly used for the management of various types of advanced cancers. The widespread approval of this group of drugs simultaneously revealed immune-related adverse events as unique side-effects. Endocrinopathies are one of the most common immune-related adverse events. The precise pathogenic mechanisms for these endocrinopathies are still unclear. Though few of the endocrinopathies are reversible, calling for only symptom control, most are irreversible, requiring multiple long-term hormone replacement therapies. However, in contrast to other organ-specific immune-related adverse events, patients with endocrinopathies can continue their immune checkpoint therapy, provided the hormone replacement therapy is adequate and the symptoms are controlled. Though patients who have developed immune-related adverse events demonstrate superior antitumor activity and overall survival, due to the high morbidity associated with the immune-related adverse events, researchers are trying to uncouple the antitumour activity associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy from the immune-related adverse events, to preserve antitumour activity without adverse events.

The DFUC 2020 Dataset: Analysis Towards Diabetic Foot Ulcer Detection

Every 20 seconds a limb is amputated somewhere in the world due to diabetes. This is a global health problem that requires a global solution. The International Conference on Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention challenge, which concerns the automated detection of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) using machine learning techniques, will accelerate the development of innovative healthcare technology to address this unmet medical need. In an effort to improve patient care and reduce the strain on healthcare systems, recent research has focused on the creation of cloud-based detection algorithms. These can be consumed as a service by a mobile app that patients (or a carer, partner or family member) could use themselves at home to monitor their condition and to detect the appearance of a DFU. Collaborative work between Manchester Metropolitan University, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals and the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust has created a repository of 4,000 DFU images for the purpose of supporting research toward more advanced methods of DFU detection. This paper presents a dataset description and analysis, assessment methods, benchmark algorithms and initial evaluation results. It facilitates the challenge by providing useful insights into state-of-the-art and ongoing research.

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms: A clinical snapshot

Our understanding about the epidemiological aspects, pathogenesis, molecular diagnosis, and targeted therapies of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) have drastically advanced in the past decade. Gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) NENs originate from the enteroendocrine cells of the embryonic gut which share common endocrine and neural differentiation factors. Most NENs are well-differentiated, and slow growing. Specific neuroendocrine biomarkers that are used in the diagnosis of functional NENs include insulin, glucagon, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, gastrin, somatostatin, adrenocorticotropin, growth hormone releasing hormone, parathyroid hormone-related peptide, serotonin, histamine, and 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid (5-HIAA). Biomarkers such as pancreatic polypeptide, human chorionic gonadotrophin subunits, neurotensin, ghrelin, and calcitonin are used in the diagnosis of non-functional NENs. 5-HIAA levels correlate with tumour burden, prognosis and development of carcinoid heart disease and mesenteric fibrosis, however several diseases, medications and edible products can falsely elevate the 5-HIAA levels. Organ-specific transcription factors are useful in the differential diagnosis of metastasis from an unknown primary of well-differentiated NENs. Emerging novel biomarkers include circulating tumour cells, circulating tumour DNA, circulating micro-RNAs, and neuroendocrine neoplasms test (NETest) (simultaneous measurement of 51 neuroendocrine-specific marker genes in the peripheral blood). NETest has high sensitivity (85%-98%) and specificity (93%-97%) for the detection of gastrointestinal NENs, and is useful for monitoring treatment response, recurrence, and prognosis. In terms of management, surgery, radiofrequency ablation, symptom control with medications, chemotherapy and molecular targeted therapies are all considered as options. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment, but depends on factors including age of the individual, location, stage, grade, functional status, and the heredity of the tumour (sporadic vs inherited). Medical management is helpful to alleviate the symptoms, manage inoperable lesions, suppress postoperative tumour growth, and manage recurrences. Several molecular-targeted therapies are considered second line to somatostatin analogues. This review is a clinical update on the pathophysiological aspects, diagnostic algorithm, and management of GEP NENs.

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms: A clinical snapshot

Our understanding about the epidemiological aspects, pathogenesis, molecular diagnosis, and targeted therapies of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) have drastically advanced in the past decade. Gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) NENs originate from the enteroendocrine cells of the embryonic gut which share common endocrine and neural differentiation factors. Most NENs are well-differentiated, and slow growing. Specific neuroendocrine biomarkers that are used in the diagnosis of functional NENs include insulin, glucagon, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, gastrin, somatostatin, adrenocorticotropin, growth hormone releasing hormone, parathyroid hormone-related peptide, serotonin, histamine, and 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid (5-HIAA). Biomarkers such as pancreatic polypeptide, human chorionic gonadotrophin subunits, neurotensin, ghrelin, and calcitonin are used in the diagnosis of non-functional NENs. 5-HIAA levels correlate with tumour burden, prognosis and development of carcinoid heart disease and mesenteric fibrosis, however several diseases, medications and edible products can falsely elevate the 5-HIAA levels. Organ-specific transcription factors are useful in the differential diagnosis of metastasis from an unknown primary of well-differentiated NENs. Emerging novel biomarkers include circulating tumour cells, circulating tumour DNA, circulating micro-RNAs, and neuroendocrine neoplasms test (NETest) (simultaneous measurement of 51 neuroendocrine-specific marker genes in the peripheral blood). NETest has high sensitivity (85%-98%) and specificity (93%-97%) for the detection of gastrointestinal NENs, and is useful for monitoring treatment response, recurrence, and prognosis. In terms of management, surgery, radiofrequency ablation, symptom control with medications, chemotherapy and molecular targeted therapies are all considered as options. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment, but depends on factors including age of the individual, location, stage, grade, functional status, and the heredity of the tumour (sporadic vs inherited). Medical management is helpful to alleviate the symptoms, manage inoperable lesions, suppress postoperative tumour growth, and manage recurrences. Several molecular-targeted therapies are considered second line to somatostatin analogues. This review is a clinical update on the pathophysiological aspects, diagnostic algorithm, and management of GEP NENs.

Efficacy and Cardiovascular Safety of DPP-4 Inhibitors

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors or gliptins belong to the class of incretin mimetics. These drugs have been available on the market for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) for over a decade. Sitagliptin, linagliptin, vildagliptin, saxagliptin and alogliptin are widely available globally, whilst anagliptin, gemigliptin and teneliptin are used mainly in the Asian countries. The glycemic control conferred by DPP-4 inhibitors varies among individual molecules with an average reduction of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ranging between -0.5 to -1.0% with monotherapy. Additive effects on HbA1c reduction may result from combination therapy with other antidiabetics. Weak evidence from various studies suggests that DPP-4 inhibitors may be useful in treating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DPP-4 inhibitors safety is not established in pregnancy, and there is only meagre evidence of its use in T2DM among children. In line with the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) recommendations, sitagliptin, linagliptin, saxagliptin and alogliptin have undergone rigorous cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) in recent years, and the safety data for vildagliptin is available through retrospective analysis of various studies in meta-analysis. Small clinical trial, and meta-analysis based data are available for the CV safety of other DPP-4 inhibitors. In general, the CVOTs and other safety data do not reveal serious warning signals except for saxagliptin (higher risk of hospitalization from heart failure [hHF]), although there is no robust data on the risk of hHF among patients with moderate to severe HF at baseline treated with other DPP-4 inhibitors. This review critically appraises the efficacy and cardiovascular safety of DPP-4 inhibitors to empower clinicians to use this class of antidiabetic medications judiciously.

Efficacy and Cardiovascular Safety of Antidiabetic Medications

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has already affected one in every eleven person in the global population, and the dis-ease prevalence continues to increase because of the obesity pandemic. Even with the availability of a multitude of antidi-abetic medications for optimal glycaemic control, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality were not largely altered until re-cently when newer antidiabetic drugs such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor analogues (GLP-1RAs) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors were introduced. Cardiovascular safety of antidiabetic drugs has also been a hot topic for global scientific debate after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) enforced restrictions on Rosiglita-zone in 2010 with the suspicion of increased mortality and myocardial events (with subsequent uplift of the ban on the drug in 2013 following the emergence of additional evidence on safety). After this debate, all antidiabetic should go through rigorous safety checks with cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs). Recent CVOTs with GLP-1RAs and SGLT2 inhibitors have revealed markedly positive outcomes that have changed the landscape of diabetes management across the world. Thus, the therapeutic algorithm for optimal management of DM should consider not only the glycaemic control ef-ficacy of the individual antidiabetic agent but also the cardiovascular safety and modifications in other anticipated long-term DM complication profiles. Therefore, it is imperative to critically appraise the efficacy and cardiovascular safety of all antidiabetic drugs to improve the scientific practice of our diabetes care globally. This issue, "Efficacy and cardiovas-cular safety of antidiabetic medications," provides readers the back-up of up to date evidence.

Organ-specific Adverse Events of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy, with Special Reference to Endocrinopathies

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The DFUC 2020 Dataset: Analysis Towards Diabetic Foot Ulcer Detection

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High-Dose Cholecalciferol Booster Therapy is Associated with a Reduced Risk of Mortality in Patients with COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Multi-Centre Observational Study

The worldwide pandemic of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has posed the most substantial and severe public health issue for several generations, and therapeutic options have not yet been optimised. Vitamin D (in its "parent" form, cholecalciferol) has been proposed in the pharmacological management of COVID-19 by various sources. We aimed to determine whether COVID-19 mortality was affected by serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels, vitamin D status, or cholecalciferol therapy, and to elucidate any other predictors of COVID-19 mortality. Patients hospitalised with COVID-19 were opportunistically recruited from three UK hospitals, and their data were collected retrospectively. Logistic regression was used to determine any relationships between COVID-19 mortality and potential predictors, including 25(OH)D levels and cholecalciferol booster therapy. A total of 986 participants with COVID-19 were studied, of whom 151 (16.0%) received cholecalciferol booster therapy. In the primary cohort of 444 patients, cholecalciferol booster therapy was associated with a reduced risk of COVID-19 mortality, following adjustment for potential confounders (OR_adj 0.13, 95% CI 0.05-0.35, p < 0.001). This finding was replicated in a validation cohort of 541 patients (OR_adj 0.38, 95% CI 0.17-0.84, p = 0.018). In this observational study, treatment with cholecalciferol booster therapy, regardless of baseline serum 25(OH)D levels, appears to be associated with a reduced risk of mortality in acute in-patients admitted with COVID-19. Further work with large population studies needs to be carried out to determine adequate serum 25(OH)D levels, as well as multi-dose clinical trials of cholecalciferol therapy to assess maximum efficacy.