Context:Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a high molecular weight polysaccharide that is distributed in all bodily tissues and fluids. The liver is the most important organ involved in the synthesis and degradation of HA. Research has shown that liver cell injury can affect serum HA levels. In this review, authors aimed to describe the biochemical and physiological roles of this glycosaminoglycan and its changes in various liver diseases.Evidence Acquisition:Liver fibrosis and in more severe form, cirrhosis are results of an imbalance between fibrogenesis and fibrinolysis. Liver biopsy is the gold standard to assess liver necro inflammatory injuries. This method is invasive and has some major side effects; therefore it is an unfavorable method for both physicians and patients. Now, a wide variety of noninvasive methods have been introduced based on evaluating serum level of different markers. They are safe, readily available, and more favorable. Serum HA levels are used by some researchers to assess stages of liver fibrosis.Results:There are several scientific studies indicating HA as a biomarker for high score fibrosis and cirrhosis in various liver diseases alone or in algorithm models. It seems from various algorithm models that the use of HA as a major constituent has more diagnostic reliability and accuracy than the use of HA alone.Conclusions:Use of HA in an algorithm model, is an extra and valuable tool for assessing liver necro inflammatory injuries- in parallel with liver biopsy- but more comprehensive studies are needed to approve the use of HA as an appropriate clinical tool.

Background Elevated blood alcohol content is a risk factor for injury. Associations of blood alcohol content with acute respiratory distress syndrome have not been conclusively established. We evaluated the association of a BAC >0 mg/dL with the intermediate outcomes, Injury Severity Score and Glasgow Coma Score, and their association with acute respiratory distress syndrome development. Methods Observational retrospective cohort study of 26,305 primary trauma admissions to a statewide referral trauma center from July 11, 2003 to October 31, 2011. Logistic regression was performed to assess the relationship between Admission blood alcohol content, Injury Severity Score, Glasgow Coma Score, and acute respiratory distress syndrome development within five days of admission. Results The case-rate for acute respiratory distress syndrome was 5.5% (1447). Blood alcohol content >0 mg/dL was associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome development in adjusted analysis (Odds Ratio 1.50; 95% Confidence Interval 1.33–1.71, p<0.001). High Injury Severity Score (≥16) had a stronger association with acute respiratory distress syndrome development (Odds Ratio 17.99; 95% Confidence Interval 15.51–20.86); as did low Glasgow Coma Score (≤8) (Odds Ratio 8.77; 95% Confidence Interval 7.64–10.07, p<0.001). Patients with low Glasgow Coma Score and high Injury Severity Score had the most frequent acute respiratory distress syndrome (33.6%) and the highest case fatality rate without acute respiratory distress syndrome (24.7%). Conclusions Elevated blood alcohol content is associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome development. In the analysis of alcohol exposure, Injury Severity Score and Glasgow Coma Score occur after alcohol ingestion, making them intermediate outcomes. Injury Severity Score and Glasgow Coma Score were strong predictors of acute respiratory distress syndrome and may be useful to identify at-risk patients. Elevated blood alcohol content may increase the frequency of the acute respiratory distress syndrome through influence on injury severity or independent molecular mechanisms which can be discriminated only in experimental models

Recent evidence suggested that neurological manifestations occur in patients with a severe form of coronavirus disease (COVID‐19). On the basis of this issue, neurologists are very concerned about patients with neurological disorders, especially multiple sclerosis (MS), as consumers of immunosuppressive or immune‐modulating drugs. Therefore, the administration of proper disease‐modifying therapies (DMTs) in MS patients is critical during the pandemic status. On the one hand, both the autoimmune diseases and immunosuppressive drugs increase the risk of infection due to impairment in the immune system, and on the other hand, postponing of MS treatment has serious consequences on the central nervous system. In the present study, we discussed recent literature about the effect of DMTs administration on the severity of COVID‐19 in the MS patients. Overall, it seems that DMTs do not provoke the COVID‐19 infection in the MS patients by declining immune responses and cytokine storm. However, as a precaution, the supervision of a neurologist is highly recommended.

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Hyperkalemia is a potentially lethal electrolyte derangement commonly seen in patients with hematologic neoplasms with or without renal failure. Pseudohyperkalemia and reverse pseudohyperkalemia also can be seen in this patient population and early recognition and diagnosis of these conditions are vital. Here, we report a case of reverse pseudohyperkalemia in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and provide recommendations regarding diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for management of such patients. Further, we discuss the pathogenesis of this condition and its potential role as a surrogate of favorable prognostic features in patients with CLL.

Purpose Assess the case rate of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) after near-hanging, and the secondary outcomes of traumatic and/or anoxic brain injury, and death. Risk factors for the outcomes were assessed. Method Single-center, state-wide retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients admitted between August, 2002, and September, 2011, with a primary diagnosis of non-judicial "hanging injury". Results Of 56 patients, 73% were male. The median age was 31 (IQR: 16–56). Upon arrival, 9% (5/56) did not have a pulse, and 23% (13/56) patients were intubated. The median Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was 13 (IQR: 3–15); 14% (8/56) had a GCS=3. ARDS developed in 9% (5/56) of patients. Traumatic anoxic brain injury resulted in 9% (5/56) of patients. The in-hospital case fatality was 5% (3/56). Lower median GCS [3 (IQR: 3–7) vs. 14 (IQR: 3–15), p=0.0003] and intubation in field or in trauma resuscitation unit [100% (5/5) vs. 16% (8/51), p=0.0003] were associated with ARDS development. Risk factors of death were GCS=3 [100% (3/3) vs. 9% (5/53), p=0.002]; pulselessness upon arrival of emergency medical services [100% (3/3) vs. 4% (2/53), p<0.001]; and abnormal neurologic imaging [50% (1/2) vs. zero, p=0.04]. Conclusions The ARDS case rate after near-hanging is similar to the general trauma population. Low GCS and intubation are associated with increased risk of ARDS development. The rate of traumatic and/or anoxic brain injury in this population is low.

Purpose: Heterogeneous nature of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) must be comprehensively addressed. It is unclear if integrative multidisciplinary disease management (IMDM) can optimize clinical outcomes of patients with COPD. Methods: A single-center, retrospective cohort observational study with a historical intervention was conducted in a clinic specialized for COPD care. Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COPD were administered IMDM with measurement of BODE score on initial and follow-up visits. Primary outcomes were dynamic changes in BODE quartiles after receiving IMDM. Results: Of 124 patients, 21% were misdiagnosed with COPD. Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COPD were 50% female, median age 64 years (IQR 57-70), 43% actively smoking and initial visit median BODE quartile 2 (IQR 1-3). Three subgroups were identified based on the changes in BODE quartiles: worsened (21%), unchanged (55%) and improved (24%). At baseline, mMRC (median [IQR]) was higher in improved subgroup vs worsened and unchanged subgroup (3 [3, 4] vs 2 [1, 2] vs 2 [1, 3], p value 0.002) respectively. Drop in all components of BODE score was noted in worsened group, but significant improvement in mMRC with preservation of spirometry values was noted in the improved group. The incidence of smoking cigarettes changed from 39% to 26% during follow-up. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that IMDM can be potentially effective in a subgroup of COPD patients. In others precipitous drop in lung function, activity tolerance, and subjective symptoms seems inevitable with worsening BODE quartiles.