Background: The search for simple clinical and laboratory markers to help predict the clinical severity of patients presenting with COVID-19 has prompted this study to look at the predictive value of urine L-FABP (Liver Type-Fatty Acid Binding Protein) point-of-care test kit at the initial presentation of COVID-19 patients to the hospital. Methods: The validation study prospectively included 109 consecutive patients with mild to moderate COVID-19, mean age of 52.2 years (range 19-84) presenting at the Emergency Rooms of 4 participating Metro-Manila hospitals from February to April 2021, with available data for analysis for 103 patients. Urine L-FABP POC (Point-of-Care) test and other clinical parameters and the level of severity of COVID-19 were determined at Day 0, Day 4 and Day 7. Computations for Sensitivity, Specificity, Positive and Negative Predictive values and Likelihood ratios were performed. Results: Twenty-three patients tested positive for urine L-FABP, out of the 103 patients analyzed, while 80 tested negative. Of the 23 patients who tested positive for urine L-FABP, 6 has progressed in severity, while 17 did not progressed. Of the 80 patients who tested negative for urine L-FABP, 13 progressed, while 67 did not progressed in severity. Giving a Sensitivity of 31.58%, Specificity of 79.76%, Positive predictive value of 26.09%, Negative predictive value of 83.75%. Combining urine L-FABP and initial clinical parameters like SIRS (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome) criteria to predict progression of severity yielded a higher Specificity of 91.67 % and Negative Predictive value of 84.62%. Conclusions The study shows the utility of initial urine L-FABP POC test as a negative screening test in triaging adult patients presenting to the ER with mild to moderate COVID-19. Patients at the ER with a negative urine L-FABP test, will most likely not progressed to severe COVID-19. Combining clinical parameters like SIRS Criteria with the urine L-FABP result can increase the negative predictive value.
COVID-19

Background: and Purpose Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is an effective treatment for patients with basilar artery occlusion (BAO) acute ischemic stroke. It remains unclear whether bridging intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) prior to MT confers any benefit. This study compared the outcomes of acute BAO patients who were treated with direct MT versus combined IVT plus MT. Methods: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included patients who were treated for acute BAO from eight comprehensive stroke centers between January 2015 and December 2019. Patients received direct MT or combined bridging IVT plus MT. Primary outcome was favorable functional outcome defined as modified Rankin Scale 0–3 measured at 90 days. Secondary outcome measures included mortality and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). Results: Among 322 patients, 127 (39.4%) patients underwent bridging IVT followed by MT and 195 (60.6%) underwent direct MT. The mean±standard deviation age was 67.5±14.1 years, 64.0% were male and median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was 16 (interquartile range, 8 to 25). At 90-day, the rate of favorable functional outcome was similar between the bridging IVT and direct MT groups (39.4% vs. 34.4%, P=0.361). On multivariable analyses, bridging IVT was not asComorbidisociated with favorable functional outcome, mortality or sICH. In subgroup analyses, patients with underlying atherosclerosis treated with bridging IVT compared to direct MT had a higher rate of favorable functional outcome at 90 days (37.2% vs. 15.5%, P=0.013). Conclusions Functional outcomes were similar in BAO patients treated with bridging IVT versus direct MT. In the subgroup of patients with underlying large-artery atherosclerosis stroke mechanism, bridging IVT may potentially confer benefit and this warrants further investigation.

Introduction: Psoriasis and some of its treatments such as methotrexate have been linked to the development of non-melanoma skin cancers including cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Chronic maque psoriasis, Koebnerization, and prolonged methotrexate therapy are some of the concerns that may impact wound healing and graft uptake when treating these patients. Case Report: We report a case of a 64-year-old male with a 32-year history of moderate to severe psoriasis continuously self-medicating with methotrexate for 30 years who presented with a solitary indurated tumor with ulceration on the right anterior leg. Histopathology result revealed acantholytic cSCC. The patient concomitantly has generalized psoriatic plaques that complicated the selection of donor site for the skin graft, and raised concerns on wound healing and graft uptake. He underwent wide excision surgery with gastrocnemius (medial head) flap and split thickness skin graft. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections were utilized post-operatively to increase graft survival and donor site regeneration. Discussion The main risk factors for the development of cSCC for this patient are the history of chronic plaque psoriasis and chronic methotrexate therapy. These two can also complicate the success of grafting and wound healing for this patient. PRP was utilized to for better graft survival, faster wound healing, and prevention of Koebnerization.
Platelet-Rich Plasma ; Neoplasms, Squamous Cell ; Psoriasis ; Methotrexate

Introduction: Angiosarcoma is a rare head and neck sarcoma of vascular endothelial cell origin. We report a case of angiosar- coma in an elderly male, and the multidisciplinary approach employed in his treatment. Case report: A 79-year-old male presented with a 4-month history of a rapidly enlarging black, soft, immovable tumor surround- ed by bruise-like patches over the right temporoparietal scalp. There was associated pruritus and bleeding when scratched. Dermoscopy showed bluish black crusts over the tumor, and surrounding violaceous patches. Wedge biopsy revealed a dermis with irregular vascular spaces infiltrating dermis, lined by atypical endothelial cells. Immunohistochemistry of the atypical in- filtrative cells was positive for CD31. These findings were consistent with angiosarcoma. The patient underwent wide excision with a rotational flap and split thickness skin graft. Postoperatively, the patient was referred to Oncology for adjuvant radiation therapy. Conclusion Even with treatment, the prognosis of angiosarcoma remains poor due to its aggressive nature, with a 5-year sur- vival rate ranging from 10-54%. However, early detection of the disease may increase patient survival rates. This rare case shows the importance of maintaining a high level of suspicion for lesions that have an atypical presentation to prevent delays in man- agement and improve patient outcomes.
Hemangiosarcoma ; Scalp ; Neoplasms

Introduction: The researchers aimed to determine the efficacy of tea tree oil in comparison to benzoyl peroxide in treating mild acne. This study also aimed to identify the side effects of both treatment modalities. Methods: Using a randomized single blinded controlled clinical trial, teenagers and young adults with mild acne vulgaris were allocated to receive tea tree oil gel or benzoyl peroxide for four weeks. The effectiveness of the agents was measured using the Investigator's Global Assessment Scale. Posttreatment scores were compared with the baseline within groups. The difference was compared between the two study arms. Adverse reactions to the two agents were also noted. Results : Both tea tree oil and benzoyl peroxide groups showed a significant decrease in the posttreatment lesion counts compared to the baseline, however when the mean differences were compared between groups, the difference was not significant. Conclusion Tea tree oil is comparable to benzoyl peroxide in treating mild acne vulgaris among teenagers and young adults.
Tea Tree Oil ; Benzoyl Peroxide