Screening mammography facilitates the early diagnosis of breast carcinoma in women. Timely follow-up can optimize the diagnosis and treatment of women with abnormal screening test results. When test results reveal that additional studies are needed, no barriers should prohibit testing during the screening mammography visit.

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Background: Little is known about long-term recovery from severe COVID-19 disease. Here, we characterize overall health, physical health and mental health of patients one month after discharge for severe COVID-19. Methods: This was a prospective single health system observational cohort study of patients ≥18 years hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 disease who required at least 6 liters of oxygen during admission, had intact baseline cognitive and functional status and were discharged alive. Participants were enrolled between 30 and 40 days after discharge. Outcomes were elicited through validated survey instruments: the PROMIS Dyspnea Characteristics and PROMIS Global Health-10. Results: A total of 161 patients (40.6% of eligible) were enrolled; 152 (38.3%) completed the survey. Median age was 62 years (interquartile range [IQR], 50-67); 57 (37%) were female. Overall, 113/152 (74%) participants reported shortness of breath within the prior week (median score 3 out of 10 [IQR 0-5]), vs. 47/152 (31%) pre-COVID-19 infection (0, IQR 0-1), p<0.001. Participants also rated their physical health and mental health as worse in their post-COVID state (43.8, standard deviation 9.3; mental health 47.3, SD 9.3) compared to their pre-COVID state, (54.3, SD 9.3; 54.3, SD 7.8, respectively), both p <0.001. A total of 52/148 (35.1%) patients without pre-COVID oxygen requirements needed home oxygen after hospital discharge; 20/148 (13.5%) reported still using oxygen at time of survey. Conclusions: Patients with severe COVID-19 disease typically experience sequelae affecting their respiratory status, physical health and mental health for at least several weeks after hospital discharge.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection can be vertically transmitted, but the factors that transmit the disease to foetuses are still unclear. We studied a total of 144 pregnant women with HEV infection. Cord blood and newborn samples were taken for analysis. Nutritional factors were evaluated on the basis of anthropometric parameters and biochemical factors, and HEV viral load was quantified by real-time PCR. Sequencing of HEV-positive samples was performed. Approximately 14.63% (6/41) of pregnant patients with acute liver failure (ALF) died before delivery. Vertical transmission was observed in 46.09% (59/128) of HEV-IgM-positive mothers. Approximately 23.80% (10/42) of newborns in the acute viral hepatitis group and 29.41% (5/17) in the ALF group were positive for HEV-RNA. No significant difference was observed in the occurrence of vertical transmission in HEV groups. Viral load was found to be a significant predictor for vertical transmission of HEV infection adjusted with haemoglobin and folate in derivation cohort group. Incorporating these variables, a new score predicting vertical transmission of HEV was derived. Using these significant predictors, the probability for vertical transmission of HEV was well stratified in the validation group (P>.05). In conclusion, viral load was associated with vertical transmission of HEV infection. A valid prediction score model was generated that was verified in a validation cohort group.

About the Author AbstractPurpose of the Study The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and risk factor for vitamin D deficiency in our pregnant population. Method A total of 418 healthy primigravida with single live pregnancy and sure of dates attending the antenatal clinic between October 2011 and April 2013 were recruited. Women were excluded if they had history of current or past chronic medical disease. Women were also excluded if they had history of medication with drugs interfering with calcium and vitamin D metabolism. Results The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy has been found to be 391 (93.5 %). Severe vitamin D deficiency among pregnant patients was 34.44 % (144/418). The levels of serum 25(OH)D and serum calcium were significantly lower in severe deficient group than the adequate group [7.10 ± 1.49 vs. 38.90 ± 4.22 ng/ml (p = 0.001) and 7.13 ± 1.41 vs. 9.39 ± 0.88 ng/ml (p = 0.001)], respectively. Maternal education, husband education, socioeconomic status, serum calcium, serum phosphorous, and season were significant factors associated with vitamin D deficiency. Significant independent variables for severe vitamin D deficiency were low serum calcium, serum alkaline phosphatase, and serum phosphorus (OR 39.41,, p \ 0.01), (OR 18.03,, p \ 0.01), and (OR 8.40, 95 % CI 2.47-28.61, p \ 0.01).