Prader-Willi Syndrome and the Use of Medical Nutrition Therapy

Title: Integrating Consistent Individualized Carbohydrate-Controlled Anti- Inflammatory Nutritional Plan (C-ICAN) in the Management of Prader-Willi Syndrome: A Case Report. Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by a loss of function of specific genes on chromosome 15. Patients with this disease present unique challenges in management, particularly regarding obesity and nutritional regulation as the disease symptoms change depending on the age of the patient and the phase of the disease. These challenges pose critical stressors to caregivers and their families. We present a case report of a 5-year-old Caucasian male diagnosed with PWS, exhibiting failure to thrive and uncontrolled weight gain. His caregiver was his elderly grandmother who, by her own admission, was ill-equipped to deal with the patient’s physical symptoms and his behavior in response to dietary restrictions. Through a multidisciplinary approach involving medical nutrition therapy (MNT) involving the implementation of a Consistent Individualized Carbohydrate-Controlled Anti-Inflammatory Nutritional plan (C-ICAN), growth hormone supplementation, and behavioral interventions patient markedly improved physically and emotionally.

Radiological findings in non-surgical recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma:From locoregional treatments to immunotherapy

Since hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)represents an important cause of mortality and morbidity all over the world.Currently,it is fundamental not only to achieve a curative treatment but also to manage in the best way any possible recurrence.Even if the latest update of the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer guidelines for HCC treatment has introduced new locoregional techniques and confirmed others as well-established clinical practices,there is still no consensus about the treatment of recurrent HCC(RHCC).Locoregional treatments and medical therapy represent two of the most widely accepted approaches for disease control,especially in the advanced stage of liver disease.Different medical treatments are now approved,and others are under investigation.On this basis,radiology plays a central role in the diagnosis of RHCC and the assessment of response to locoregional treatments and medical therapy for RHCC.This review summarized the actual clinical practice by underlining the importance of the radiological approach both in the diagnosis and treatment of RHCC.

Treatment outcomes and cognitive function following electroconvulsive therapy in patients with severe depression

BACKGROUND Traditional treatments for major depressive disorder(MDD),including medication and therapy,often fail and have undesirable side effects.Electroconvulsive therapy(ECT)uses electrical currents to induce brief seizures in the brain,resulting in rapid and potent antidepressant effects.However,owing to misconceptions and controversies,ECT is not as widely used as it could and often faces stigmatization.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ECT compared to those of medication and/or therapy in patients with severe MDD.METHODS This prospective cohort study included 220 individuals with severe MDD who were divided into the ECT and non-ECT groups.The patients in the ECT group underwent bilateral ECT three times a wk until they either achieved remission or reached a maximum of 12 sessions.The non-ECT group received medication and/or therapy according to clinical guidelines for MDD.The primary outcome was the variation in the hamilton depression rating scale(HDRS)score from treatment/ECT initiation to week 12.In addition,patients’quality of life,cognitive abilities,and biomarkers were measured throughout the study.RESULTS Although both groups showed significant improvements in their HDRS scores over time,the improvement was more pronounced in the ECT group than in the non-ECT group.Additionally,the ECT group exhibited a more substantial improvement in the quality of life and cognitive function than those of the non-ECT group.Compared with the non-ECT group,the ECT group exhibited evidently lower variations in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)and cytokine interleukin-6(IL-6)levels.The side effects were generally mild and comparable between the two groups.ECT is safer and more potent than medication and/or therapy in mitigating depressive symptoms,enhancing wellbeing,and bolstering cognitive capabilities in individuals with severe MDD.ECT may also affect the levels of BDNF and IL-6,which are indicators of neuroplasticity and inflammation,respectively.CONCLUSION ECT has emerged as a potentially advantageous therapeutic approach for patients with MDD who are unresponsive to alternative treatments.

Demand analysis of an intelligent medication administration system for older adults with chronic diseases based on the Kano model

Objectives Gerontechnology has great potential in promoting older adults’well-being.With the accelerated aging process,gerontechnology has a promising market prospect.However,most technological developers and healthcare professionals attached importance to products’effectiveness,and ignored older adults’demands and user experience,which reduced older adults'adoption intention of gerontechnology use.The inclusion of older adults in the design process of technologies is essential to maximize the effect.This study explored older adults’demands for a self-developed intelligent medication administration system and proposed optimization schemes,thus providing reference to developing geriatric-friendly technologies and products.Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted to explore older adults’technological demands for the self-developed intelligent medication administration system,and data were analyzed based on the Kano model.A self-made questionnaire was administered from July 2020 to October 2020 after participants used this system for two weeks.The study was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry(ChiCTR2000040644).Results A total of 354 older adults participated in the survey.Four items,namely larger font size,simpler operation process,scheduled medication reminders and reliable hardware,were classified as must-be attributes;three items,namely searching drug instructions through WeChat,more sensitive system and longer battery life,as attractive attributes;one item,viewing disease-related information through WeChat,as the one-dimensional attribute;and the rest were indifferent attributes,including simple and beautiful displays,blocking advertisements automatically,providing user privacy protection protocol,viewing personal medical information only by logged-in users,recording all the medications,ordering medications through WeChat.The satisfaction values were between 0.24 and 0.69,and dissatisfaction values were between 0.06 and 0.94.Conclusion This study suggested that older adults had personalized technology demands.Including their technological demands and desire may assist in decreasing the digital divide and promoting the satisfaction of e-health and/or m-health.Based on older adults’demands,our study proposed optimization schemes of the intelligent medication administration system,which may help developers design geriatric-friendly intelligent products and nurses to perform older adults-centered and efficient medication management.

Medical management of urolithiasis: Great efforts and limited progress

Objective:To provide a comprehensive review on the existing literature on medical management of urolithiasis.Methods:A thorough literature review was performed using Medline,PubMed/PMC,Embase,and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews up to December 2022 to identify publications on the medical management of urolithiasis.Studies that assessed dietary and pharmacologic management of urolithiasis were reviewed;studies on medical expulsive therapy were not included in this review.Results:Medical management of urolithiasis ranges from the prophylactic management of kidney stone disease to dissolution therapies.While most treatment concepts have been long established,large randomized controlled trials are scarce.Dietary modification and increased fluid intake remain cornerstones in the conservative management of urolithiasis.A major limitation for medical management of urolithiasis is poor patient compliance.Conclusion:Medical management of urolithiasis is more important in patients with recurrent urolithiasis and patients with metabolic abnormalities putting them at higher risk of developing stones.Although medical management can be effective in limiting stone recurrence,medical interventions often fail due to poor compliance.

PCI compared with medical therapy in elderly patients with chronic symptomatic coronary artery disease

Objective The aim of this study was to assess quality of results of elderly patients with coronary disease after medical or revascularisation therapy. Methods In this study, we enrolled 103 patients aged 75 years or older with chronic angina in which 47 patients were assigned coronary angiography and revascularisation and 56 patients with optimised medical therapy. The primary endpoint was quality of life after 6 months, as assessed by questionnaire and the presence of major adverse cardiac events (death, non fatal myocardial infarction, or hospital admission for acute coronary syndrome with or without the need for revascularisation). Results After 6 months follow up, angina severity decreased and measures of quality of life increased in both treatment groups( P <0.05 ); however, these improvements were significantly greater after revascularisation( P <0.01 ). Major adverse cardiac events occurred in 30 ( 53.6% ) of patients in the medical group and 9 ( 19.1% ) in the invasive group ( P <0.01 ).Conclusions Patients aged 75 years or older with angina benefit more from revascularisation than from optimised medical therapy in terms of symptom relief and quality of life. Therefore, these patients should be offered invasive assessment despite their high risk profile followed by revascularisation if feasible.

Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease:A review of medical therapy

Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. While a cure remains elusive, both can be treated with medications that induce and maintain remission. With the recent advent of therapies that inhibit tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha the overlap in medical therapies for UC and CD has become greater. Although 5-ASA agents have been a mainstay in the treatment of both CD and UC, the data for their efficacy in patients with CD, particularly as maintenance therapy, are equivocal. Antibiotics may have a limited role in the treatment of colonic CD. Steroids continue to be the first choice to treat active disease not responsive to other more conservative therapy; non- systemic steroids such as oral and rectal budesonide for ileal and right-sided CD and distal UC respectively are also effective in mild-moderate disease. 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and its prodrug azathioprine are steroid-sparing immunomodulators effective in the maintenance of remission of both CD and UC, while methotrexate may be used in both induction and maintenance of CD. Infliximab and adalimumab are anti-TNF agents approved in the US and Europe for the treatment of Crohn's disease, and infliximab is also approved for the treatment of UC.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEMOGLOBIN A1C AND BLOOD GLUCOSE THROUGHOUT THE DAY IN WELL-GLYCEMIC-CONTROLLED MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY ALONE TYPE 2 DIABETIC PATIENTS

Objective To investigate the relationship between glycosylated hemoglobin A1 c （HbA1 c） and blood glucose levels of eight different points throughout the day in well-glycemic-controlled medical nutrition therapy （MNT） alone type 2 diabetic pafients. Methods Data were collected as＂ capillary blood glucose value of eight different sample points among sixteen observing days in thirty MNT alone type 2 diabetic patients. The correlation between HbAI c and capillary blood glucose value was evaluated by Pearson＇s correlation method. Results The r-values between HbA1c and capillary blood glucose of 3：00, 6：00, and bedtime （22：00-23：00） were 0. 81,0. 79, and 0. 78, respectively（P 〈0. 001 ）. The best correlation was found between the mean value of 8- point blood glucose value throughout the day and HbA1c （ r=0. 84, P 〈0. 001 ）. Conclustion Fasting blood glucose and postabsorptive blood glucose have better correlations with HbAlc compared with other points in this group of well-glycemic-controlled MNT alone type 2 diabetic patients.

Medical therapy for nephrolithiasis:State of the art

The prevalence of nephrolithiasis is increasing worldwide.Understanding and implementing medical therapies for kidney stone prevention are critical to prevent recurrences and decrease the economic burden of this condition.Dietary and pharmacologic therapies require understanding on the part of the patient and the prescribing practitioner in order to promote compliance.Insights into occupational exposures and antibiotic use may help uncover individual risk factors.Follow-up is essential to assess response to treatment and to modify treatment plans to maximize therapeutic benefit.

Percutaneous aspiration and drainage with adjuvant medical therapy for treatment of hepatic hydatid cysts

AIM:To determine the efficacy and success of percutaneous aspiration irrigation and reaspiration(PAIR) in the management of hepatic hydatidosis.METHODS:Twenty-six patients with 32 hepatic hydatid cysts had PAIR.Twenty-two patients received at least 2 wk of drug therapy before the procedure was carried out to reduce the risk of recurrence from spillage during the procedure.The procedure was performed under local anesthesia with a 19-gauge 20 cm long needle,the cyst was punctured,cystic content(approximately 30 mL) was aspirated by a 12-14 F pigtail catheter and aspirated fluids were sent for analysis.Once the cyst was almost empty,two-thirds of the net amount of material aspirated was replaced by hypertonic saline and left in the cavity for about 30 min,with the catheter left in place for reaspiration of most of the fluid.When the amount of fluid drained was less than 10 mL per 24 h,the drainage catheter was removed.RESULTS:All 32 cysts showed evidence of immediate collapse after completion of the procedure,and before discharge from hospital,ultrasound examination showed fluid reaccumulation in all cysts.Serial follow-up showed a progressive decrease in the size and change in the appearance of cysts.To confirm the sterility of these cystic cavities,seven cysts were reaspirated on average 3 mo after the procedure.Investigations revealed no viable scolices.CONCLUSION:PAIR using hypertonic saline is very effective and safe with proper precautions.

Long-term outcomes of high-risk elderly male patients with multivessel coronary disease： optimal medical therapy versus revascularization

Background Many studies have indicated that medical therapy and percutaneous coronary intervention have similar effects in terms of the long-term prognosis of patients with stable coronary artery disease. This study investigated the effects of optimal medical therapy （OMT） and revascularization-plus-OMT in elderly patients with high-risk angina. Methods In this prospective non-randomized study, 241 consecutive high-risk elderly male patients （65-92 years of age） with angiographically confirmed multivessel disease were enrolled in the registry from January 2004 to April 2005. Of these, 98 patients underwent OMT and 143 underwent revascularization therapy plus OMT. Results After 6.5 years of follow-up, we found that the rate of long-term cardiac mortality was significantly higher in patients who under- went OMT than in those who underwent revascularization （6.5-year unadjusted mortality rate, 14.3% for OMT vs. 7.0% for revascularization patients; log-rank P = 0.04）. However, the overall risks of major adverse cardiac cerebrovascular events （MACCE） were similar among all patients （6.5-year unadjusted mortality rate, 29.6% for OMT vs. 27.3% for revascularization patients; log-rank P = 0.67）. Conclusions OMT was associated with an increase in cardiac death but a similar 6.5-year risk of MACCE compared with revascularization in high-risk elderly male patients with coronary multivessel disease.

The impact of optimal medical therapy at discharge on mortality in patients with coronary artery disease

Objective To analyze the current usage of optimal medical therapy （OMT）, influencing factors, and the predictive value of OMT for all-cause mortality in coronary artery disease （CAD） patients with different subgroups. Methods A total of 3176 CAD patients confirmed by coronary angiography were included. OMT was defined as the combination of anti-platelet drugs, statins, beta blockers, and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. Factors for OMT and its prognostic value were analyzed in CAD patients across different subgroups. Results Out of 3176 patients, only 39.8% （n = 1265） were on OMT at discharge. Factors associated with OMT at discharge were pre-admission OMT and discharge department. All-cause mortality occurred in 6.8% （n = 217） of patients. Multivariate analyses indicated that OMT was significantly associated with reduced all-cause mortality （HR： 0.65, 95% CI： 0.45~0.95; P = 0.025）. Sub-group analyses indicate that male acute coronary syndrome （ACS） patients were more likely to receive survival benefits with OMT at discharge. The positive impact of OMT at discharge was more apparent after 24 months, regardless of revascularization therapy. Four-drug combination of OMT was superior to 3-drug combination therapy in ACS patients but not in stable patients. Conclusions OMT was asso- ciated with significant improvement in survival in patients with CAD. The positive impact of OMT was distinct in the CAD patients with different characteristics.

CLINICAL STUDY ON TREATMENT OF INFANTILE PRIMARY EPILEPSY WITH ACUPOINT CATGUT-IMPLANTATION THERAPY

Aim: To observe the therapeutic effect of acupoint catgut implantation therapy in the treatment of infantile primary epilepsy. Methods: A total of 63 cases of primary epilepsy children were randomly divided into medication group (n=32) and acupoint catgut implantation group (n=31) and treated respectively with Sodium Valproate 5-10 mg/kg/d and catgut implantation at Changqiang (GV 1), Jiuwei (CV 15), bilateral Xinshu (BL 15) and bilateral Zusanli (ST 36). Results: Following 60 days of treatment, the abnormal changes of electroencephlogram (EEG), the seizure frequency and duration and clinical symptoms were improved apparently in comparison with those of pre treatment, but no significant differences were found between the two groups (P>0.05). There was a significant difference between two groups in the cure rate of the short term effect (P<0.05), with the therapeutic effect of the treatment group being superior to that of medication group. Conclusion: Acupoint catgut implantation therapy has a good therapeutic effect in the treatment of primary infantile epilepsy.

What constitutes failure of medical therapy in the changing landscape of Crohn's disease?

The management of Crohn's disease has evolved rapidly in the era of immunomodulators and biologicals.Despite this,a significant proportion of patients with Crohn's disease ultimately require surgical management.One of the indications for operative management includes failure of medical therapy.We report two cases of patients with complicated Crohn's disease who have exhausted medical therapy and failed medical management.In both cases,the patients developed large complex intra-abdominal phlegmons and intractable symptoms of intermittent pain,partial obstruction and/or infectious complications requiring operative intervention.Crohn's disease can present with a wide spectrum of disease.Considering the complexity of management in Crohn's disease,it is important for both physicians and surgeons to be aware of what constitutes failure of medical therapy and when it may be important to consider surgical involvement.

Tamsulosin as medical expulsive therapy for lower ureterolithiasis:A meta-analysis

Objective: To review the evidence for tamsulosin as medical expulsive therapy in enhancing the effectiveness of distal ureteral stone clearance rate. Methods: We searched Pubmed/Medline, Embase, CBM and the Cochrane Library up to October 2011. All randomized controlled trials in which tamsulosin was evaluated with distal ureterolithiasis were eligible for the analysis. Outcome measure assessed was stone clearance rate. Two authors independently assessed study quality and extracted data. All data were analyzed using RevMan 5.1. Results: Thirteen studies involving 1067 participants met the inclusion criteria. Study duration ranged from 7 to 42 d. The pooled analysis showed an improvement of 41% in stone clearance rate of tamsulosin as medical expulsive therapy for distal ureteral calculi (RR=1.41, 95% CI=1.18 to 1.70). According to stone size (6 mm<size<10 mm, 5 mm<size<6 mm, size <5 mm), the pooling effects of tamsulosin were analyzed, with a higher stone expulsion rate obtained than control (RR=1.52, 1.75, 1.05, 95% CI=1.30 to 1.77, 1.25 to 2.45, 0.95 to 1.16, respectively). Adverse effects of tamsulosin, mainly retrograde ejaculation, dizziness and hypotension, were reported in 7 included trials. Conclusion: Treatment with tamsulosin appears to be a safe and effective medical expulsion therapy for distal ureterolithiasis. To make a definite clinical recommendation to use tamsulosin as medical expulsive treatment for distal ureteral calculi, high quality multicentric, randomized, double blinded, controlled trials are necessary to prove its efficacy.

CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE CEREBRAL INFARCTION WITH SCALP-ACUPUNCTURE

Abstract: In the present paper, the authors report the findings of scalp-acupuncture treatment of 50 cases of acute cerebral Infarction. A total of 100 patients were randomly divided into scalp acupuncture group (n = 50) and medication control group (n= 50). In the former group, penetration needling from Baihui (GV 20) to Qianding (GV 21) and from Shuaigu(GB 8) to Xuanli (GB 6) was performed, followed by conducting electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation; while in control group, intravenous drip of Ligustrazine injectio 120 mg plus 5% glucose solution 250 mL (once daily, with 14 days being a therapeutic course) was given in the first therapeutic course and then intravenous drip of Piracetum injectio (2 g plus 5% glucose or normal saline 250 mL, once daily, continuously for 14 days) conducted in the second therapeutic course. Results: After treatment, of the 50 cases in scalp acupuncture group, 26 (52%) were recovered basically, 15 (30%) had significant improvement, 7 (14%) had improvement and 2 (4%) failed in the treatment; while of the 50 cases in control group, 15 (30%) recovered basically, 17 (34%) had marked improvement, 16 (32%) had improvement and 2 (4%) failed in the treatment. The integral values of hemiplegia and aphasia of scalp acupuncture group were less than those of control group (P <0.01). It Indicates that the therapeutic effect of scalp acupuncture is superior to that of control group.

Comparison of the anti-apoptotic effects of 15-and 35-minute suspended moxibustion after focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Heat-sensitive suspended moxibustion has a neuroprotective effect against focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, but the underly- ing mechanisms remain unclear. The duration of heat-sensitive suspended moxibustion （usually from 30 minutes to 1 hour） is longer than traditional suspended moxibustion （usually 15 minutes）. However, the effects of 15- and 35-minute suspended moxibustion in rats with cerebra/ischemia/reperfusion injury are poorly understood. In this study, we performed 15- or 35-minute suspended moxibustion at acupoint Dazhui （GV14） in an adult rat model of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Infarct volume was evaluated with the 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride assay. Histopathological changes and neuronal apoptosis at the injury site were assessed by hematoxy- lin-eosin staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. Caspase-9 and caspase-3 expression at the in- jury site was detected using immunofluorescent staining. Bax and Bcl-2 expression at the injury site was assessed using western blot assay. In the 35-minute moxibustion group, infarct volume was decreased, neuronal apoptosis was reduced, caspase-9, caspase-3 and Bax expres- sion was lower, and Bcl-2 expression was increased, compared with the 15-minute moxibustion group. Our findings show that 35-minute moxibustion has a greater anti-apoptotic effect than 15-minute moxibustion after focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Role of endoscopy in predicting the disease course in inflammatory bowel disease

Endoscopy provides a direct evaluation of mucosal lesions in inflammatory bowel disease(IBD),permitting the description of elementary lesions,their surface extent and severity.The severity of mucosal lesions directly reflects disease activity and may help to identify an aggressive behavior of the disease.Several studies have recently pointed out the potential role of endoscopy in the prediction of IBD outcome.Indeed,severe endoscopic lesions in Crohn's disease(CD) patients,defined by deep and extensive ulcerations on at least one part of the colon,are associated with an increased risk of penetrating complication and surgery.Severe endoscopic lesions during severe attacks of ulcerative colitis(UC) are associated with an increased risk of colectomy in the short and long term.Severity of postoperative recurrence in CD may help to predict the risk of clinical relapse and need for further surgery.Achievement of mucosal healing,which can be obtained by administration of several types of drugs,is associated with a better outcome,less surgery and hospitalization.This review focuses on the assessment of endoscopic severity in CD and UC and on the impact of endoscopic severity on disease outcome.More specifically,we discuss how endoscopy can be used at different stages of IBD to predict the disease course and/or to adapt treatment strategies.

Common approach to managing lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction

The present paper serves as a review of the associations between lower urinary tract symptoms （LUTS） and erectile dysfunction （ED）, with a focus on common and combined pathways for treatment. LUTS and ED are common conditions seen in general urologic practice. Research has started to establish epidemiologic and pathophysiologic links between the two conditions and a strong association confirmed across multiple studies. Men seeking care for one condition should always be interviewed for complaints of the other condition. Proposed common pathways include α-1 adrenergic receptor imbalance, Rho-kinase overactivity, endothelial cell dysfunction and atherosclerosis-induced ischemia. Medical therapy has replaced surgery as the first-line treatment for LUTS in most patients, with the incorporation of α-adrenergic receptor antagonists （α-ARAs） and 5-α-reductase inhibitors （5-ARIs） into everyday practice. Treatment with α-ARAs contributes to some improvement in ED, whereas use of 5-ARIs results in worsened sexual function in some patients. Phosphodiesterase-5 （PDE-5） inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment of ED with a simple oral regimen, and new insights demonstrate a benefit of combined use of PDE-5 inhibitors and α-ARAs. The mechanisms of action of these medications support these observed benefits, and they are being studied in the basic science and clinical settings. In addition, novel mechanisms for therapy have been proposed based on clinical and research observations. The minimally invasive and surgical treatments for LUTS are known to have adverse effects on ejaculatory function, while their effects on erectile function are still debated. Much remains to be investigated, but it is clear that the associations between LUTS and ED lay the foundation for future therapies and possible preventative strategies.

Timing of surgery in Crohn’s disease: A key issue in the management

The timing of the decision for operation in Crohn’s disease is based on an evaluation of the several factors such as the failure of medical treatment, complications due to the Crohn’s disease or to the farmacological therapy, development of dysplasia or cancer and growth retardation. A complete evaluation of these factors should result in operation timed to the patient’s best advantage, achieving maximal relief of symptoms with improvement of quality of life. Given the complexity and heterogeneity of the disease and the different options for treatment, is difficult to systematize when the optimal moment for the surgery is arrived. A very important factor in the management of Crohn’s disease is the multidisciplinary approach and the patient preference should be a significant factor in determining the choice of therapy. The surgery should be considered such another option in the sequential treatment of Crohn’s disease. We have analyzed the factors that are involved in the decision taking of the surgical treatment regarding to the experience and the published literature. When did the medical therapy fail? when is the appropriate moment to operate on the patient? Or which complications of Crohn’s disease need a surgery? These are some of the questions we will try to answer.