The role of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in predicting lung metastasis in giant cell tumor of the extremities

OBJECTIVE

Inflammation has a vital role in tumor development and metastasis. Changes in blood count parameters have been associated with tumor prognosis. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in predicting lung metastasis of giant cell tumors of the bone (GCTB) of the extremities.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

34 GCTB patients (22 males and 12 females) were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups. The metastasis group (n = 7) included GCTB patients with lung metastasis, while the non-metastasis group (n = 27) included those without lung metastasis. Descriptive statistics and frequency distribution were calculated [age, white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelets, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelets to lymphocytes ratio (PLR)]. Continuous normal variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation and compared using Student's t-tests. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the ability of NLR and PLR to predict lung metastasis. The factors were considered to be statistically significant at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the lymphocyte count (1.81 vs. 2.23 103/mm3), platelet count (436 vs. 364 103/mm3), and PLR values (247 vs. 190) of the two groups (p > 0.05). The WBC count (11.8 vs. 8.95 103/mm3), neutrophil count (8.78 vs. 5.69 103/mm3), and NLR levels (5.45 vs. 2.81) (p < 0.05) were significantly higher in the metastasis group. The presence of an NLR cut-off value of 3.7 significantly predicted the existence of lung metastasis (AUC = 0.857 [95%CI = 0.714-1], p = 0.004) with a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 82%.

CONCLUSIONS

NLR may serve as a promising prognostic marker for predicting lung metastasis in GCTB patients.

Effects of prenatal exposure to maternal COVID-19 and perinatal care on neonatal outcome: results from the INTERCOVID Multinational Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The effect of COVID-19 in pregnancy on maternal outcomes and its association with preeclampsia and gestational diabetes mellitus have been reported; however, a detailed understanding of the effects of maternal positivity, delivery mode, and perinatal practices on fetal and neonatal outcomes is urgently needed.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on fetal and neonatal outcomes and the role of mode of delivery, breastfeeding, and early neonatal care practices on the risk of mother-to-child transmission.

STUDY DESIGN

In this cohort study that took place from March 2020 to March 2021, involving 43 institutions in 18 countries, 2 unmatched, consecutive, unexposed women were concomitantly enrolled immediately after each infected woman was identified, at any stage of pregnancy or delivery, and at the same level of care to minimize bias. Women and neonates were followed up until hospital discharge. COVID-19 in pregnancy was determined by laboratory confirmation and/or radiological pulmonary findings or ≥2 predefined COVID-19 symptoms. The outcome measures were indices of neonatal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, neonatal positivity and its correlation with mode of delivery, breastfeeding, and hospital neonatal care practices.

RESULTS

A total of 586 neonates born to women with COVID-19 diagnosis and 1535 neonates born to women without COVID-19 diagnosis were enrolled. Women with COVID-19 diagnosis had a higher rate of cesarean delivery (52.8% vs 38.5% for those without COVID-19 diagnosis, P<.01) and pregnancy-related complications, such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and fetal distress (all with P<.001), than women without COVID-19 diagnosis. Maternal diagnosis of COVID-19 carried an increased rate of preterm birth (P≤.001) and lower neonatal weight (P≤.001), length, and head circumference at birth. In mothers with COVID-19 diagnosis, the length of in utero exposure was significantly correlated to the risk of the neonate testing positive (odds ratio, 4.5; 95% confidence interval, 2.2-9.4 for length of in utero exposure >14 days). Among neonates born to mothers with COVID-19 diagnosis, birth via cesarean delivery was a risk factor for testing positive for COVID-19 (odds ratio, 2.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-4.7), even when severity of maternal conditions was considered and after multivariable logistic analysis. In the subgroup of neonates born to women with COVID-19 diagnosis, the outcomes worsened when the neonate also tested positive, with higher rates of neonatal intensive care unit admission, fever, gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms, and death, even after adjusting for prematurity. Breastfeeding by mothers with COVID-19 diagnosis and hospital neonatal care practices, including immediate skin-to-skin contact and rooming-in, were not associated with an increased risk of newborn positivity.

CONCLUSION

In this multinational cohort study, COVID-19 in pregnancy was associated with increased maternal and neonatal complications. Cesarean delivery was significantly associated with newborn COVID-19 diagnosis. Vaginal delivery should be considered the safest mode of delivery if obstetrical and health conditions allow it. Mother-to-child skin-to-skin contact, rooming-in, and direct breastfeeding were not risk factors for newborn COVID-19 diagnosis, thus well-established best practices can be continued among women with COVID-19 diagnosis.

Preeclampsia and COVID-19: results from the INTERCOVID prospective longitudinal study

Background

It is unclear whether the suggested link between COVID-19 during pregnancy and preeclampsia is an independent association or if these are caused by common risk factors.

Objective

This study aimed to quantify any independent association between COVID-19 during pregnancy and preeclampsia and to determine the effect of these variables on maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Study Design

This was a large, longitudinal, prospective, unmatched diagnosed and not-diagnosed observational study assessing the effect of COVID-19 during pregnancy on mothers and neonates. Two consecutive not-diagnosed women were concomitantly enrolled immediately after each diagnosed woman was identified, at any stage during pregnancy or delivery, and at the same level of care to minimize bias. Women and neonates were followed until hospital discharge using the standardized INTERGROWTH-21^st protocols and electronic data management system. A total of 43 institutions in 18 countries contributed to the study sample. The independent association between the 2 entities was quantified with the risk factors known to be associated with preeclampsia analyzed in each group. The outcomes were compared among women with COVID-19 alone, preeclampsia alone, both conditions, and those without either of the 2 conditions.

Results

We enrolled 2184 pregnant women; of these, 725 (33.2%) were enrolled in the COVID-19 diagnosed and 1459 (66.8%) in the COVID-19 not-diagnosed groups. Of these women, 123 had preeclampsia of which 59 of 725 (8.1%) were in the COVID-19 diagnosed group and 64 of 1459 (4.4%) were in the not-diagnosed group (risk ratio, 1.86; 95% confidence interval, 1.32–2.61). After adjustment for sociodemographic factors and conditions associated with both COVID-19 and preeclampsia, the risk ratio for preeclampsia remained significant among all women (risk ratio, 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.25–2.52) and nulliparous women specifically (risk ratio, 1.89; 95% confidence interval, 1.17–3.05). There was a trend but no statistical significance among parous women (risk ratio, 1.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.99–2.73). The risk ratio for preterm birth for all women diagnosed with COVID-19 and preeclampsia was 4.05 (95% confidence interval, 2.99–5.49) and 6.26 (95% confidence interval, 4.35–9.00) for nulliparous women. Compared with women with neither condition diagnosed, the composite adverse perinatal outcome showed a stepwise increase in the risk ratio for COVID-19 without preeclampsia, preeclampsia without COVID-19, and COVID-19 with preeclampsia (risk ratio, 2.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.63–2.86; risk ratio, 2.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.44–4.45; and risk ratio, 2.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.67–4.82, respectively). Similar findings were found for the composite adverse maternal outcome with risk ratios of 1.76 (95% confidence interval, 1.32–2.35), 2.07 (95% confidence interval, 1.20–3.57), and 2.77 (95% confidence interval, 1.66–4.63). The association between COVID-19 and gestational hypertension and the direction of the effects on preterm birth and adverse perinatal and maternal outcomes, were similar to preeclampsia, but confined to nulliparous women with lower risk ratios.

Conclusion

COVID-19 during pregnancy is strongly associated with preeclampsia, especially among nulliparous women. This association is independent of any risk factors and preexisting conditions. COVID-19 severity does not seem to be a factor in this association. Both conditions are associated independently of and in an additive fashion with preterm birth, severe perinatal morbidity and mortality, and adverse maternal outcomes. Women with preeclampsia should be considered a particularly vulnerable group with regard to the risks posed by COVID-19.

Maternal and Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality Among Pregnant Women With and Without COVID-19 Infection: The INTERCOVID Multinational Cohort Study

Importance

Detailed information about the association of COVID-19 with outcomes in pregnant individuals compared with not-infected pregnant individuals is much needed.

Objective

To evaluate the risks associated with COVID-19 in pregnancy on maternal and neonatal outcomes compared with not-infected, concomitant pregnant individuals.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this cohort study that took place from March to October 2020, involving 43 institutions in 18 countries, 2 unmatched, consecutive, not-infected women were concomitantly enrolled immediately after each infected woman was identified, at any stage of pregnancy or delivery, and at the same level of care to minimize bias. Women and neonates were followed up until hospital discharge.

Exposures

COVID-19 in pregnancy determined by laboratory confirmation of COVID-19 and/or radiological pulmonary findings or 2 or more predefined COVID-19 symptoms.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome measures were indices of (maternal and severe neonatal/perinatal) morbidity and mortality; the individual components of these indices were secondary outcomes. Models for these outcomes were adjusted for country, month entering study, maternal age, and history of morbidity.

Results

A total of 706 pregnant women with COVID-19 diagnosis and 1424 pregnant women without COVID-19 diagnosis were enrolled, all with broadly similar demographic characteristics (mean [SD] age, 30.2 [6.1] years). Overweight early in pregnancy occurred in 323 women (48.6%) with COVID-19 diagnosis and 554 women (40.2%) without. Women with COVID-19 diagnosis were at higher risk for preeclampsia/eclampsia (relative risk [RR], 1.76; 95% CI, 1.27-2.43), severe infections (RR, 3.38; 95% CI, 1.63-7.01), intensive care unit admission (RR, 5.04; 95% CI, 3.13-8.10), maternal mortality (RR, 22.3; 95% CI, 2.88-172), preterm birth (RR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.30-1.94), medically indicated preterm birth (RR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.56-2.51), severe neonatal morbidity index (RR, 2.66; 95% CI, 1.69-4.18), and severe perinatal morbidity and mortality index (RR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.66-2.75). Fever and shortness of breath for any duration was associated with increased risk of severe maternal complications (RR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.92-3.40) and neonatal complications (RR, 4.97; 95% CI, 2.11-11.69). Asymptomatic women with COVID-19 diagnosis remained at higher risk only for maternal morbidity (RR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.00-1.54) and preeclampsia (RR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.01-2.63). Among women who tested positive (98.1% by real-time polymerase chain reaction), 54 (13%) of their neonates tested positive. Cesarean delivery (RR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.18-3.91) but not breastfeeding (RR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.66-1.85) was associated with increased risk for neonatal test positivity.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this multinational cohort study, COVID-19 in pregnancy was associated with consistent and substantial increases in severe maternal morbidity and mortality and neonatal complications when pregnant women with and without COVID-19 diagnosis were compared. The findings should alert pregnant individuals and clinicians to implement strictly all the recommended COVID-19 preventive measures.

Predicting the peroneus longus tendon autograft size in ACL reconstruction by using anthropometric parameters: A study in South Sulawesi population

Introduction

Some literature use peroneus longus tendon (PLT) as the alternative to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction to overcome inadequate autograft size potential risk by using hamstring tendon (HT) autograft. Among the available methods to predict PLT measurements, anthropometric parameters are one of the most accessible and feasible methods. The objective of this prospective study was to predict the PLT autograft sizes in single bundle ACL reconstruction by using preoperative anthropometric measurement.

Method

Anthropometric parameters, including age, gender, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), true leg length (TLL), shank circumference and shank length of 20 patients with primary ACL reconstruction was measured before surgery. Univariate analysis, independent-sample t-test, Pearson correlation test, and logistic regression to evaluate the influence of these anthropometric variables on the diameter and length of the PLT autograft obtained.

Result

Pearson correlation test has shown that body weight and height correlates to PLT length and diameter also autograft's length and diameter significantly (p < 0.05). The linear regression analysis showed that height, weight, TLL and shank length were signifcantly related to autograft diameter. While height and TLL were significantly related to autograft length.

Conclusion

Height, weight, TLL and shank length can use to predict PLT autograft diameter. While height and TLL can use to predict PLT autograft length.

•

It is important to estimate tendon graft size prior to ACL reconstruction surgery.

•

Preoperative anthropometric measurement is a good method to predict PLT autograft size.

•

Height is a good predictor of the PLT autograft diameter and length.

•

Patient less than 153 cm in height, high risk for having in adequate graft size.

Revision single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with over-the-top route procedure

PURPOSE

In revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), the single-stage technique and the over-the-top route (OTTR) procedure were usually selected for cases where the bone tunnel cannot be created at an anatomical position due to tunnel enlargement and overlap with the mal-positioned tunnel of primary reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of revision single-bundle ACL reconstruction using OTTR procedure and to compare the clinical results of OTTR procedure with those of anatomical single-bundle revision reconstruction (SBR).

HYPOTHESIS

The results of OTTR procedure are equivalent to that of SBR.

METHODS

Seventy-six revision ACL reconstruction knees from April 2002 to December 2012 were involved in our study. We focused on 21 knees which underwent surgery with SBR and 22 knees with OTTR using hamstring tendon. The clinical results were evaluated by means of the Lysholm score and the knee stability was assessed by the Lachman test, pivot-shift test and side-to-side difference by KT-2000 pre-operatively and after 1 year post-operatively. AP translation and rotational laxity using a navigation system were evaluated before and after revision ACL reconstruction under anesthesia in 8 cases of OTTR and in 6 cases of SBR.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference between the OTTR and SBR regarding Lysholm score, Lachman test, pivot-shift test, ATT by KT-2000, and AP translation and rotational laxity with a navigation system.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical results of OTTR are almost equivalent to those of SBR. For the cases in which it is impossible to create the femoral tunnel in an anatomical position, OTTR is a valuable revision ACL reconstruction method.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Case-control study. Level III.

Proprioceptive function after isolated single-bundle posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with remnant preservation for chronic posterior cruciate ligament injuries

INTRODUCTION

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction using the remnant preserving technique may contribute to improved postoperative posterior stability, graft healing, and proprioception recovery. Although there have been several reports on remnant preserving PCL reconstruction, no study has yet evaluated the proprioceptive functions before and after PCL reconstruction with remnant preservation. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the clinical outcomes and proprioceptive function after isolated single-bundle PCL reconstruction with remnant preservation for chronic PCL injuries.

HYPOTHESIS

Isolated single-bundle PCL reconstruction with remnant preservation surgery for chronic PCL injuries provides satisfactory clinical outcomes and good recovery of the proprioceptive function.

METHODS

Nineteen patients who had undergone isolated single-bundle PCL reconstruction with remnant preservation for chronic PCL injuries were followed up for more than 2 years. The posterior laxity was measured by the gravity sag view, stress radiography and the KT-2000 knee arthrometer. The proprioceptive function was defined as the threshold to detect passive motion (TTDPM).

RESULTS

The average Lysholm score significantly improved from 63.7±13.2 preoperatively to 94.4±4.6 at final follow-up. The postoperative posterior laxity significantly improved. Regarding TTDPM, there were no significant differences between the preoperative score and the score at every given time point, regardless of the starting angles and the moving directions of the knees.

CONCLUSIONS

The proprioceptive function, defined as TTDPM, is maintained after single-bundle PCL reconstruction with remnant preservation, and the postoperative clinical scores and posterior laxity significantly improve.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Quality characteristics and acceptability of 'amala' (yam-based thick paste) as influenced by particle size categorization of yam (Dioscorea rotundata) flour

The study was essentially an investigation on the influence of size-categorized yam (Dioscorea rotundata) flour on the quality characteristics and acceptability of amala (yam-based thick paste). Yam flour was separated into three major particle size categories (i.e. 75-150 µm, 150-300 µm and whole meal [<300 µm]), while the physicochemical properties of each category were evaluated and flour samples finally used to prepare amala. Both the protein and ash contents of the yam flours were found to decrease with the decrease in the particle size giving 2.87% and 2.27% in 75-150 µm flour category, respectively. The loose bulk density and packed bulk density of the whole meal (<300 µm) were higher than that of others giving 0.50 g/cm(3) and 0.78 g/cm(3), respectively, while 150-300 µm flour category gave the highest value (2.88 g/g) in water absorption capacity. The colour characteristics of the flour samples showed that the whole meal (<300 µm) had the highest lightness index, L*-value (76.4). The 75-150 µm flour category had the highest chroma, C-value (19.2), while that of 150-300 µm had the lowest value (18.7) with no significant difference at p < 0.05. The pasting characteristics of the flour samples showed that 75-150 µm flour category exhibited highest peak viscosity (257.1 RVU), while the whole meal (<300 µm) exhibited highest breakdown viscosity (40.9 RVU), final viscosity (364.0 RVU) and setback viscosity (99.7 RVU). The amala prepared from 150-300 µm flour category gave the highest softness index (19.6 mm) while that obtained from 75-150 µm flour category gave the lowest value (16.6 mm). The sensory quality rating of amala prepared from the flour samples showed that amala from 150-300 µm flour category was rated the highest in terms of colour, texture (ease of mouldability), aroma and overall acceptability. Both positive and negative correlations were found between some properties of size-categorized yam flours and sensory quality characteristics of amala.

Cervical vertigo and cervical spondylosis--a need for adequate evaluation

BACKGROUND

Cervical spine spondylotic changes are known to cause vertigo. The mechanism by which cervical vertigo is induced is very debatable. This study was to highlight the prevalence of vertigo and other vestibulocochlear organ affectation in patients with cervical spondylosis and to serve as a template for further research in this area.

METHODOLOGY

A six-year retrospective review of vertiginous patients with radiological evidence of cervical spondylosis seen at the Otorhinolaryngology Clinic of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

RESULTS

Forty-three patients, 23 males (53.5%) and 20 females (46.5%) had vertigo as a symptom and radiological evaluation for cervical spondylosis. The radiological findings were normal in 11 patients (26%) and abnormal in 32 patients (74%). Of the twenty-five patients who had pure tone audiometry, 40% were normal and 60% abnormal. Out of 20 affected ears, seven patients (47%) had right, 3 patients (20%) left and 5 patients (33%) both ear involved respectively. High frequency range was affected in 8 (40%), low in 2 (10%) and all in 10 (50%) ears respectively. Decibel hearing level (dBHL) loss ranged from 30-90 dBHL with a mean binaural of 43 (+/- 8.5) dBHL.

CONCLUSION

We advocate early multidisciplinary approach in the management of all established cases of cervical vertigo.

Human immunodeficiency virus and invasive external otitis--a case report

Acute invasive external otitis is an uncommon life-threatening infection of the external auditory canal (EAC), most often affecting the elderly diabetic patients. Although few reports have been made in HIV-positive/Aids patients among the caucasians. We present here a 25 year old nursing mother with a month history of fever, persistent otalgia with acutely inflammed EAC, gross facial cellulitis, mastoid abscess and facial paresis, following a minor left ear trauma with a matchstick. This unusual course of ear infection in an otherwise healthy young adult prompts a search for an immunodepressing factor which was confirmed to be Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This article highlights the clinical peculiarities and the management of invasive external otitis in an HIV-positive patient.