Σάββατο 17 Φεβρουαρίου 2018

Carbon-ion radiotherapy for locoregional recurrence after primary surgery for pancreatic cancer

Publication date: Available online 17 February 2018
Source:Radiotherapy and Oncology
Author(s): Shohei Kawashiro, Shigeru Yamada, Yuka Isozaki, Kenji Nemoto, Hiroshi Tsuji, Tadashi Kamada
The efficacy and safety of carbon ion radiotherapy (C-ion RT) for locoregional recurrence after surgery for pancreatic cancer were retrospectively evaluated. The results for 30 patients showed that C-ion RT was performed safely with relatively long overall survival, good local control, and minimal toxicity.



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Dose–response curves for MRI-detected radiation-induced temporal lobe reactions in patients after proton and carbon ion therapy: Does the same RBE-weighted dose lead to the same biological effect?

Publication date: Available online 17 February 2018
Source:Radiotherapy and Oncology
Author(s): Clarissa Gillmann, Antony J. Lomax, Damien C. Weber, Oliver Jäkel, Christian P. Karger
PurposeTo derive the dose–response curve for temporal lobe reactions (TLRs) after proton therapy and to compare the resulting relative biological effectiveness (RBE)-weighted tolerance doses based on an RBE of 1.1 with published values for carbon ions, which were calculated by the two versions of the local effect model (LEM I or IV).Methods and materials62 patients treated with protons for skull base tumors were analyzed for TLRs using magnetic resonance imaging. Within the mean follow-up time of 38 months, TLRs were observed in six patients. Dose–response curves based on the RBE-weighted maximum dose, excluding the 1 cm3-volume with the highest dose, were derived and compared to previously published dose–response curves for carbon ions, which were obtained using LEM I or IV, respectively.ResultsThe dose–response curves for protons and LEM I were found to be almost identical while the curve of LEM IV was shifted toward higher doses. The resulting tolerance doses at the 5% effect level were 68.2+2.7-5.6, 68.6+3.0-3.9 and 78.3+3.8-5.0 Gy (RBE), respectively.ConclusionsThe RBE-weighted dose prescription for protons leads to the same RBE-weighted dose–response curve for TLR as the one for LEM I-based carbon ions, while LEM IV predicts clinically significant higher tolerance doses.



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Carbon-ion radiotherapy for locoregional recurrence after primary surgery for pancreatic cancer

The efficacy and safety of carbon ion radiotherapy (C-ion RT) for locoregional recurrence after surgery for pancreatic cancer were retrospectively evaluated. The results for 30 patients showed that C-ion RT was performed safely with relatively long overall survival, good local control, and minimal toxicity.

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Foreword

Publication date: February 2018
Source:European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases, Volume 135, Issue 1, Supplement
Author(s): B. Fraysse, V. Couloigner, D. Chevalier




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International consensus (ICON) on the ENT role in diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Publication date: February 2018
Source:European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases, Volume 135, Issue 1, Supplement
Author(s): M.C. Ouayoun, F. Chabolle, A. De Vito, C. Heiser, V.K. Paramasivan, F.A.W. Rabelo, B. Rotenberg, M.V. Suurna
During the 2017 IFOS ENT World Congress, an international expert panel was asked to clarify the role of ENT in the diagnosis process of the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) in adults around the world. OSA is a major public health issue throughout the world. OSA is a highly prevalent disease with heavy clinical, social and economical outcomes. This high prevalence raises serious difficulties of diagnosis accessibility if only somnologists are able to confirm OSA diagnosis. First of all, the panellists reviewed the impact of OSA. Secondly, they defined the ENT role stressing ENT legitimacy, professional expertise and academic and institutional tasks. They also defined when somnologists were necessary. For the international panel, the ENT is a major player in the OSA diagnosis process.



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Networks that link cytoskeletal regulators and diaphragm proteins underpin filtration function in Drosophila nephrocytes

Publication date: Available online 16 February 2018
Source:Experimental Cell Research
Author(s): Simi Muraleedharan, Aksah Sam, Helen Skaer, Maneesha S. Inamdar
Insect nephrocytes provide a valuable model for kidney disease, as they are structurally and functionally homologous to mammalian kidney podocytes. They possess an exceptional macromolecular assembly, the nephrocyte diaphragm (ND), which serves as a filtration barrier and helps maintain tissue homeostasis by filtering out wastes and toxic products. However, the elements that maintain nephrocyte architecture and the ND are not understood. We show that Drosophila nephrocytes have a unique cytoplasmic cluster of F-actin, which is maintained by the microtubule cytoskeleton and Rho-GTPases. A balance of Rac1 and Cdc42 activity as well as proper microtubule organization and endoplasmic reticulum structure, are required to position the actin cluster. Further, ND proteins Sns and Duf also localize to this cluster and regulate organization of the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton. Perturbation of any of these inter-dependent components impairs nephrocyte ultrafiltration. Thus cytoskeletal components, Rho-GTPases and ND proteins work in concert to maintain the specialized nephrocyte architecture and function.



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Maintenance of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in fetal intra-aortic hematopoietic clusters by the Sox17-Notch1-Hes1 axis

Publication date: Available online 16 February 2018
Source:Experimental Cell Research
Author(s): Kiyoka Saito, Ikuo Nobuhisa, Kaho Harada, Satomi Takahashi, Maha Anani, Heiko Lickert, Masami Kanai-Azuma, Yoshiakira Kanai, Tetsuya Taga
The aorta-gonad-mesonephros region, from which definitive hematopoiesis first arises in midgestation mouse embryos, has intra-aortic hematopoietic clusters (IAHCs) containing hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs). We previously reported expression of the transcription factor Sox17 in IAHCs, and overexpression of Sox17 in CD45lowc-KIThigh cells comprising IAHCs maintains the formation of cell clusters and their multipotency in vitro over multiple passages. Here, we demonstrate the importance of NOTCH1 in IAHC formation and maintenance of the HSC/HPC phenotype. We further show that Notch1 expression is positively regulated by SOX17 via direct binding to its gene promoter. SOX17 and NOTCH1 were both found to be expressed in vivo in cells of IAHCs by whole mount immunostaining. We found that cells transduced with the active form of NOTCH1 or its downstream target, Hes1, maintained their multipotent colony-forming capacity in semisolid medium. Moreover, cells stimulated by NOTCH1 ligand, Jagged1, or Delta-like protein 1, had the capacity to form multilineage colonies. Conversely, knockdown of Notch1 and Hes1 led to a reduction of their multipotent colony-forming capacity. These results suggest that the Sox17-Notch1-Hes1 pathway is critical for maintaining the undifferentiated state of IAHCs.



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GRP78 Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma proliferation by increasing FAT10 expression through the NF-κB pathway

Publication date: Available online 16 February 2018
Source:Experimental Cell Research
Author(s): Chenglin Luo, Haixia Xiong, Leifeng Chen, Xiuxia Liu, Shubing Zou, Jiafu Guan, Kai Wang
Glucose-regulated protein 78(GRP78) and the ubiquitin-like protein FAT10 each promote proliferation in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). However, the relationship of GRP78 and FAT10 in HCC proliferation are still not known. In this study, we found that GRP78 and FAT10 were significantly overexpressed in HCC tissues compare with adjacent non-cancerous tissues, and a positive correlation was found between their expression and associated proliferation characteristics. High expression of GRP78 and FAT10 were positively correlated with tumor proliferation and poor prognosis in HCC. Moreover, GRP78 knockdown reduced FAT10 expression and suppressed HCC proliferation in vitro and in vivo. The effects of GRP78 knockdown were rescued by FAT10 up-regulation, whereas FAT10 knockdown reduced HCC proliferation enhanced by GRP78 up-regulation. Furthermore, GRP78 modulated FAT10 expression by regulating the NF-κB pathway, direct activation of the NF-κB pathway increased the expression of FAT10, a gene counteracting the tumor suppressor p53. Taken together, these results suggest that this newly identified GRP78–NF-κB–FAT10 axis will provide novel insight into the understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of proliferation in human HCC.

Graphical abstract

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Cancers, Vol. 10, Pages 54: Advanced EUS Guided Tissue Acquisition Methods for Pancreatic Cancer

Cancers, Vol. 10, Pages 54: Advanced EUS Guided Tissue Acquisition Methods for Pancreatic Cancer

Cancers doi: 10.3390/cancers10020054

Authors: Pujan Kandel Michael B. Wallace

Pancreas cancer is a lethal cancer as the majority patients are diagnosed at an advanced incurable stage. Despite improvements in diagnostic modalities and management strategies, including surgery and chemotherapies, the outcome of pancreas cancer remains poor. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is an important imaging tool for pancreas cancer. For decades, resected pancreas cancer and other cancer specimens have been used to identify tissue biomarkers or genomics for precision therapy; however, only 20% of patients undergo surgery, and thus, this framework is not useful for unresectable pancreas cancer. With advancements in needle technologies, tumor specimens can be obtained at the time of tissue diagnosis. Tumor tissue can be used for development of personalized cancer treatment, such as performing whole exome sequencing and global genomic profiling of pancreas cancer, development of tissue biomarkers, and targeted mutational assays for precise chemotherapy treatment. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in tissue acquisition of pancreas cancer.



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Many of our modules are CME accredited! Register for free to improve your patient care https://t.co/0jQ7B5y5ae https://t.co/A7cQXhArxL

Many of our modules are CME accredited! Register for free to improve your patient care https://t.co/0jQ7B5y5ae https://t.co/A7cQXhArxL

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.@JAMAOnc latest finds disparity in predictive tests of #breastcancer genetic risk @QMUL https://t.co/GzfTnGGaAg

.@JAMAOnc latest finds disparity in predictive tests of #breastcancer genetic risk @QMUL https://t.co/GzfTnGGaAg

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The effect of time of day testing and utility of 30 and 60 minute cortisol values in the 250 mcg ACTH stimulation test

Publication date: Available online 16 February 2018
Source:Clinical Biochemistry
Author(s): Vicki Munro, Manal Elnenaei, Steve Doucette, David B. Clarke, Syed Ali Imran
BackgroundDespite widespread use of the 250-mcg Cosyntropin test (ACTH test) for the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency (AI), the effect of time of day and the utility of performing both 30- and 60-min serum cortisol values remains unclear.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of all ACTH testing at the Halifax Neuropituitary Program, Nova Scotia, Canada between January 2006 and April 2016. Data were collected on age, gender, medication history, serum cortisol levels at 0, 30 and 60 min after ACTH administration, as well as time of and indication for testing.ResultsThere were 336 tests performed, divided by time of day (0800–1000 h, 1001–1200 h, and after 1200 h). There were no differences in mean cortisol levels at 30 (574.5, 559, 534 nmol/L, respectively; p = .25) and 60 min (642, 623, 619 nmol/L, respectively; p = 0.63) between groups. When comparing 30 vs. 60-min values using a cut-off of ≥500 nmol/L, 45 patients (13.4%) failed to reach the cut-off at 30 min but met the cut-off at 60 min. Conversely, only 2 patients (0.6%) who met the cut-off at 30 min failed to reach it at 60 min.ConclusionWe found that outcomes from ACTH testing are not affected by time of day. Furthermore, using a 30-min cortisol level in isolation results in more than one in seven patients having a false positive diagnosis of AI; a 60-min value of ≥500 nmol/L alone may be sufficient to diagnose AI in >99% of cases.



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FGF 23, PTH and vitamin D status in end stage renal disease patients affected by VDR FokI and BsmI variants

Publication date: Available online 16 February 2018
Source:Clinical Biochemistry
Author(s): Mouna Bouksila, Wajih Kaabachi, Mehdi Mrad, Wided Smaoui, Elhem Cheour El Kateb, Mohammed Karim Zouaghi, Kamel Hamzaoui, Afef Bahlous
ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the association between two VDR SNPs FokI and BsmI and mineral status in ESRD patients.Design and methodsOur case-control study included 100 patients with chronic renal failure in ESRD and 149 healthy subjects. We measured the serum Vitamin D levels and the serum intact PTH level by Electrochemiluminescence Technology (cobas E411 analyzer). We evaluated the serum FGF23 levels by indirect ELISA method. The genotyping of two VDR gene variants FokI and BsmI was carried out by PCR-RFLP technique.ResultsIn our study, the FokI TT genotype was associated with lower risk of ESRD development (OR = 0.176, Padj = 0.039). The difference in PTH and FGF23 levels between cases and controls was statistically significant. The expression of FokI CT genotype in subjects with diabetic nephropathy was associated with a negative correlation between VD and PTH levels (r = −0.620, P = 0.032) and a positive correlation between VD and FGF23 levels (r = 0.967, P = 0.012). A significant differences in VD levels between patients and controls was observed in the presence of FokI TT (P = 0.044) and CT (P = 0.036) genotypes. The expression of FGF23 serum level was significantly elevated in patients than in controls in the presence of the FokI CC and BsmI AG genotypes.ConclusionsIn conclusion, our study shows the existence of an association between VDR FokI, BsmI polymorphisms and mineral status in ESRD patients. The presence of VDR variants affect the protein expression of VD, phosphorus, FGF23 and PTH.



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Radiotherapy related skin toxicity (RAREST-01): Mepitel® film versus standard care in patients with locally advanced head-and-neck cancer

The aim of the present trial is to investigate a new option of skin protection in order to reduce the rate of grade ≥ 2 skin toxicity in patients receiving radiotherapy alone or radiochemotherapy for locally a...

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Treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma with ureteroscopy and thulium laser: a retrospective single center study

Treatment with the combination of ureteroscopy and thulium laser ablation may provide an alternative to radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). The purpose o...

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Safety and efficacy of temsirolimus as second line treatment for patients with recurrent bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is the 7th cause of death from cancer in men and 10th in women. Metastatic patients have a poor prognosis with a median overall survival of 14 months. Until recently, vinflunine was the only sec...

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Fertility preservation healthcare circuit and networks in cancer patients worldwide: what are the issues?

Fertility preservation (FP) is a major determinant of quality of life after cancer remission for women who may not have achieved their ideal family size. This article describes the FP services and strategy cur...

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RECORD-4 multicenter phase 2 trial of second-line everolimus in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma: Asian versus non-Asian population subanalysis

RECORD-4 assessed everolimus in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) who progressed after 1 prior anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or cytokine and reinforced the clinical benefit ...

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Synthesis of radioiodinated probes targeted toward matrix metalloproteinase-12.

http:--linkinghub.elsevier.com-ihub-imag Related Articles

Synthesis of radioiodinated probes targeted toward matrix metalloproteinase-12.

Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2018 01 15;28(2):193-195

Authors: Hagimori M, Temma T, Kudo S, Sano K, Kondo N, Mukai T

Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12, macrophage elastase) is a member of the MMP family that is responsible for the degradation of extracellular matrix, and is associated with the inflammatory process of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD, characterized by progressive and irreversible airflow obstruction, is recently a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Herein, to develop radioiodinated probes for the early diagnosis of COPD, we designed and synthesized novel MMP-12-targeted dibenzofuran compounds (1-3) with a variety of linker structures (carbamate, amide, and sulfonamide). In competitive enzyme activity assays, it was revealed that the linker structures significantly affected the inhibitory activity against and selectivity for MMP-12. Compound 1, with carbamate linker, demonstrated potent MMP-12 inhibitory activity (IC50 = 8.5 nM) compared to compound 2, with amide linker, and compound 3, with sulfonamide linker. Using bromo-substituted carbamate 13 as a radioiodination precursor, [125I]1 was successfully prepared to high radiochemical purity (over 98%) and good specific radioactivity (4.1 GBq/μmol). These results suggest that radioiodinated compound 1 is potent as a novel MMP-12-targeted probe.

PMID: 29191557 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]



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health technology; +172 new citations

172 new pubmed citations were retrieved for your search. Click on the search hyperlink below to display the complete search results:

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These pubmed results were generated on 2018/02/17

PubMed comprises more than millions of citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. Citations may include links to full-text content from PubMed Central and publisher web sites.



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Relationship between Ischemic Injury and Patient Outcomes after Surgical or Endovascular Treatment of Ruptured Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms.

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Relationship between Ischemic Injury and Patient Outcomes after Surgical or Endovascular Treatment of Ruptured Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms.

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2018 Feb 15;:

Authors: Mugikura S, Takahashi S, Takase K

PMID: 29449285 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Reply.

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Reply.

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2018 Feb 15;:

Authors: Heit JJ

PMID: 29449284 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Clinical Validation of a Predictive Model for the Presence of Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

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Clinical Validation of a Predictive Model for the Presence of Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2018 Feb 15;:

Authors: Patel NU, Lind KE, McKinney K, Clark TJ, Pokharel SS, Meier JM, Stamm ER, Garg K, Haugen B

Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Ultrasound is a standard technique to detect lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer. Cystic changes and microcalcifications are the most specific features of metastasis, but with low sensitivity. This prospective study compared the diagnostic accuracy of a predictive model for sonographic evaluation of lymph nodes relative to the radiologist's standard assessment in detecting papillary thyroid cancer metastasis in patients after thyroidectomy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cervical lymph node sonographic images were reported by a radiologist (R method) per standard practice. The same images were independently evaluated by another radiologist using a sonographic predictive model (M method). A test was considered positive for metastasis if the R or M method suggested lymph node biopsy. The result of lymph node biopsy or surgical pathology was used as the reference standard. We estimated relative true-positive fraction and relative false-positive fraction using log-linear models for correlated binary data for the M method compared with the R method.
RESULTS: A total of 237 lymph nodes in 103 patients were evaluated. Our analysis of relative true-positive fraction and relative false-positive fraction included 54 nodes with pathologic results in which at least 1 method (R or M) was positive. The M method had a higher relative true-positive fraction of 1.46 (95% CI, 1.12-1.91; P = .006) and a lower relative false-positive fraction of 0.58 (95% CI, 0.36-0.92; P = .02) compared with the R method.
CONCLUSIONS: The sonographic predictive model outperformed the standard assessment to detect lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid cancer and may reduce unnecessary biopsies.

PMID: 29449283 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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A Patient Dose-Reduction Technique for Neuroendovascular Image-Guided Interventions: Image-Quality Comparison Study.

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A Patient Dose-Reduction Technique for Neuroendovascular Image-Guided Interventions: Image-Quality Comparison Study.

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2018 Feb 15;:

Authors: Sonig A, Setlur Nagesh SV, Fennell VS, Gandhi S, Rangel-Castilla L, Ionita CN, Snyder KV, Hopkins LN, Bednarek DR, Rudin S, Siddiqui AH, Levy EI

Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The ROI-dose-reduced intervention technique represents an extension of ROI fluoroscopy combining x-ray entrance skin dose reduction with spatially different recursive temporal filtering to reduce excessive image noise in the dose-reduced periphery in real-time. The aim of our study was to compare the image quality of simulated neurointerventions with regular and reduced radiation doses using a standard flat panel detector system.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten 3D-printed intracranial aneurysm models were generated on the basis of a single patient vasculature derived from intracranial DSA and CTA. The incident dose to each model was reduced using a 0.7-mm-thick copper attenuator with a circular ROI hole (10-mm diameter) in the middle mounted inside the Infinix C-arm. Each model was treated twice with a primary coiling intervention using ROI-dose-reduced intervention and regular-dose intervention protocols. Eighty images acquired at various intervention stages were shown twice to 2 neurointerventionalists who independently scored imaging qualities (visibility of aneurysm-parent vessel morphology, associated vessels, and/or devices used). Dose-reduction measurements were performed using an ionization chamber.
RESULTS: A total integral dose reduction of 62% per frame was achieved. The mean scores for regular-dose intervention and ROI dose-reduced intervention images did not differ significantly, suggesting similar image quality. Overall intrarater agreement for all scored criteria was substantial (Kendall τ = 0.62887; P < .001). Overall interrater agreement for all criteria was fair (κ = 0.2816; 95% CI, 0.2060-0.3571).
CONCLUSIONS: Substantial dose reduction (62%) with a live peripheral image was achieved without compromising feature visibility during neuroendovascular interventions.

PMID: 29449282 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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MRI Features of Aquaporin-4 Antibody-Positive Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis: Insights into the Diagnosis of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders.

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MRI Features of Aquaporin-4 Antibody-Positive Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis: Insights into the Diagnosis of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders.

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2018 Feb 15;:

Authors: Chee CG, Park KS, Lee JW, Ahn HW, Lee E, Kang Y, Kang HS

Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis is a well-documented spinal manifestation of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, however, other forms of nontumorous myelopathy can also manifest as longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. Our aim was to evaluate the MR imaging features of aquaporin-4 antibody-positive longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis, which is strongly associated with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated cervicomedullary junction involvement, cord expansion ratios, bright spotty lesions, the number of involved segments, skipped lesions, enhancement patterns, and axial distribution patterns using spinal MR imaging of 41 patients with longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis who underwent aquaporin-4 antibody testing. Univariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with aquaporin-4 antibody seropositivity, which were then used to develop a scoring system for diagnosing aquaporin-4 antibody-positive longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. Interrater reliability for cord expansion ratio measurement and bright spotty lesions was determined using intraclass correlation coefficients and κ values, respectively.
RESULTS: Fifteen patients with longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis were aquaporin-4 antibody-positive. Sex (female), cervicomedullary junction involvement, a cord expansion ratio of >1.4, and bright spotty lesions were significantly associated with aquaporin-4 antibody seropositivity. The sensitivity and specificity of the scoring system were 73.3% and 96.2%, respectively. The interclass correlation value for the cord expansion ratio was 0.78, and the κ value for bright spotty lesions was 0.61.
CONCLUSIONS: Our scoring system, based on cervicomedullary junction involvement, higher cord expansion ratio, bright spotty lesions, and female sex, can facilitate the timely diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

PMID: 29449281 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Prediction of the Multisegment Clot Sign on Dynamic CT Angiography of Cardioembolic Stroke.

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Prediction of the Multisegment Clot Sign on Dynamic CT Angiography of Cardioembolic Stroke.

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2018 Feb 15;:

Authors: Chen Z, Shi F, Zhang M, Gong X, Lin L, Lou M

Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The multisegment clot sign has been observed at the site of large-artery occlusion in patients with acute ischemic stroke. This study aimed to assess its occurrence rate and relationship with stroke etiologies in patients with acute intracranial large-artery occlusion.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke who had acute intracranial large-artery occlusion and underwent perfusion CT within 8 hours after stroke onset. The multisegment clot sign was assessed on dynamic CT angiography derived from perfusion CT. The stroke etiologies were defined by the international Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment criteria. Poisson regression analyses and diagnostic testing were used to investigate the relationship between the multisegment clot sign and stroke etiologies.
RESULTS: Finally, 194 patients with intracranial large-artery occlusion were enrolled. According to the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment criteria, 110 (56.7%) patients were diagnosed with cardioembolism; 43 (22.2%), with large-artery atherosclerosis; and 41 (21.1%), with undetermined etiology. The multisegment clot sign was found in 74 (38%) patients. Poisson regression analysis showed that the presence of the multisegment clot sign was significantly higher in patients with cardioembolism than in those with large-artery atherosclerosis (52.7% versus 9.3%; prevalence ratio, 1.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-2.90; P = .037). For determined etiologies, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the multisegment clot sign for predicting cardioembolism were 52.7%, 90.7%, 93.5%, and 42.9%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: The presence of the multisegment clot sign on dynamic CTA specifically indicates intracranial large-artery occlusion caused by an embolism from a cardiac source, which may be useful for acute management and secondary prevention of stroke.

PMID: 29449280 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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MRI with DWI for the Detection of Posttreatment Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Why Morphologic MRI Criteria Matter.

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MRI with DWI for the Detection of Posttreatment Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Why Morphologic MRI Criteria Matter.

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2018 Feb 15;:

Authors: Ailianou A, Mundada P, De Perrot T, Pusztaszieri M, Poletti PA, Becker M

Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although diffusion-weighted imaging combined with morphologic MRI (DWIMRI) is used to detect posttreatment recurrent and second primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, the diagnostic criteria used so far have not been clarified. We hypothesized that precise MRI criteria based on signal intensity patterns on T2 and contrast-enhanced T1 complement DWI and therefore improve the diagnostic performance of DWIMRI.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 1.5T MRI examinations of 100 consecutive patients treated with radiation therapy with or without additional surgery for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. MRI examinations included morphologic sequences and DWI (b=0 and b=1000 s/mm2). Histology and follow-up served as the standard of reference. Two experienced readers, blinded to clinical/histologic/follow-up data, evaluated images according to clearly defined criteria for the diagnosis of recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma/second primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma occurring after treatment, post-radiation therapy inflammatory edema, and late fibrosis. DWI analysis included qualitative (visual) and quantitative evaluation with an ADC threshold.
RESULTS: Recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma/second primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma occurring after treatment was present in 36 patients, whereas 64 patients had post-radiation therapy lesions only. The Cohen κ for differentiating tumor from post-radiation therapy lesions with MRI and qualitative DWIMRI was 0.822 and 0.881, respectively. Mean ADCmean in recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma/second primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma occurring after treatment (1.097 ± 0.295 × 10-3 mm2/s) was significantly lower (P < .05) than in post-radiation therapy inflammatory edema (1.754 ± 0.343 × 10-3 mm2/s); however, it was similar to that in late fibrosis (0.987 ± 0.264 × 10-3 mm2/s, P > .05). Although ADCs were similar in tumors and late fibrosis, morphologic MRI criteria facilitated distinction between the 2 conditions. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and positive and negative likelihood ratios (95% CI) of DWIMRI with ADCmean < 1.22 × 10-3 mm2/s and precise MRI criteria were 92.1% (83.5-100.0), 95.4% (90.3-100.0), 92.1% (83.5-100.0), 95.4% (90.2-100.0), 19.9 (6.58-60.5), and 0.08 (0.03-0.24), respectively, indicating a good diagnostic performance to rule in and rule out disease.
CONCLUSIONS: Adding precise morphologic MRI criteria to quantitative DWI enables reproducible and accurate detection of recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma/second primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma occurring after treatment.

PMID: 29449279 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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7T Brain MRS in HIV Infection: Correlation with Cognitive Impairment and Performance on Neuropsychological Tests.

Related Articles

7T Brain MRS in HIV Infection: Correlation with Cognitive Impairment and Performance on Neuropsychological Tests.

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2018 Feb 15;:

Authors: Mohamed M, Barker PB, Skolasky RL, Sacktor N

Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Validated neuroimaging markers of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder in patients on antiretroviral therapy are urgently needed for clinical trials. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between cognitive impairment and brain metabolism in older subjects with HIV infection. It was hypothesized that MR spectroscopy measurements related to neuronal health and function (particularly N-acetylaspartate and glutamate) would be lower in HIV-positive subjects with worse cognitive performance.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five HIV-positive patients (mean age, 58.9 ± 5.3 years; 33 men) underwent detailed neuropsychological testing and brain MR spectroscopy at 7T. Twenty-four subjects were classified as having asymptomatic cognitive impairment, and 21 were classified as having symptomatic cognitive impairment. Single-voxel proton MR spectra were acquired from 5 brain regions and quantified using LCModel software. Brain metabolites and neuropsychological test results were compared using nonparametric statistics and Pearson correlation coefficients.
RESULTS: Differences in brain metabolites were found between symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects, with the main findings being lower measures of N-acetylaspartate in the frontal white matter, posterior cingulate cortex, and precuneus. In the precuneus, glutamate was also lower in the symptomatic group. In the frontal white matter, precuneus, and posterior cingulate cortex, NAA and glutamate measurements showed significant positive correlation with better performance on neuropsychological tests.
CONCLUSIONS: Compared with asymptomatic subjects, symptomatic HIV-positive subjects had lower levels of NAA and glutamate, most notably in the frontal white matter, which also correlated with performance on neuropsychological tests. High-field MR spectroscopy offers insight into the pathophysiology associated with cognitive impairment in HIV and may be useful as a quantitative outcome measure in future treatment trials.

PMID: 29449278 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Modeling Early Postnatal Brain Growth and Development with CT: Changes in the Brain Radiodensity Histogram from Birth to 2 Years.

Related Articles

Modeling Early Postnatal Brain Growth and Development with CT: Changes in the Brain Radiodensity Histogram from Birth to 2 Years.

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2018 Feb 15;:

Authors: Cauley KA, Hu Y, Och J, Yorks PJ, Fielden SW

Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The majority of brain growth and development occur in the first 2 years of life. This study investigated these changes by analysis of the brain radiodensity histogram of head CT scans from the clinical population, 0-2 years of age.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty consecutive head CTs with normal findings meeting the inclusion criteria from children from birth to 2 years were retrospectively identified from 3 different CT scan platforms. Histogram analysis was performed on brain-extracted images, and histogram mean, mode, full width at half maximum, skewness, kurtosis, and SD were correlated with subject age. The effects of scan platform were investigated. Normative curves were fitted by polynomial regression analysis.
RESULTS: Average total brain volume was 360 cm3 at birth, 948 cm3 at 1 year, and 1072 cm3 at 2 years. Total brain tissue density showed an 11% increase in mean density at 1 year and 19% at 2 years. Brain radiodensity histogram skewness was positive at birth, declining logarithmically in the first 200 days of life. The histogram kurtosis also decreased in the first 200 days to approach a normal distribution. Direct segmentation of CT images showed that changes in brain radiodensity histogram skewness correlated with, and can be explained by, a relative increase in gray matter volume and an increase in gray and white matter tissue density that occurs during this period of brain maturation.
CONCLUSIONS: Normative metrics of the brain radiodensity histogram derived from routine clinical head CT images can be used to develop a model of normal brain development.

PMID: 29449277 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Takotsubo syndrome in a premenopausal patient

Takotsubo syndrome is a rare clinical condition, with a pathophysiology that is not fully understood. Characterised by an acute and usually reversible heart failure, the condition is often preceded by a stressful event. For the diagnosis of Takotsubo syndrome to be possible, the absence of coronary artery disease as a cause is required. We report a case of Takotsubo syndrome in a 47-year-old woman of fertile age. Electrical and echocardiographic presentations were classical in the patient. However, abnormally elevated cardiac biomarkers were registered. The patient showed signs of clinical improvement, with a follow-up angiography excluding coronary artery disease and therefore leading to a diagnosis of Takotsubo syndrome.



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Bladder necrosis: 'A man without a bladder

Since the use of antibiotics, bladder necrosis has become a rare condition. We report a case of bladder necrosis in a 90-year-old man following urinary retention. After insertion of a transurethral catheter (TUC), 2 L of urine was evacuated. In the following days, the TUC became intermittently blocked. Adequate bladder drainage could not be obtained despite intensive rinsing and placement of a suprapubic catheter. On surgical exploration necrosis of almost the entire bladder wall, except for the trigone, was encountered. Surgical debridement of the non-viable bladder wall without opening the abdominal cavity was conducted, and a TUC was placed in the Retzius cavity to ensure evacuation of urine. Since the patient was haemodynamically unstable, construction of a urinary diversion was waived and urinary drainage of the Retzius cavity by the TUC was accepted, resulting in adequate urinary drainage without compromising renal function.



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Disabling pansclerotic morphoea of childhood

Disabling pansclerotic morphoea (DPM) of childhood is a severe and often fatal variant of deep morphoea. It usually starts in childhood and rarely seen in adults. The course of the disease is progressive with lifelong morbidity in the form of joint contractures and immobility. The causes of mortality include complications such as sepsis, gangrene and cardiopulmonary involvement. Herein, we discuss the case of a 15-year-old girl with limb deformity and finger contractures, that is, bone involvement. The diagnosis of DPM of childhood was fortuitously made after the correction of limb deformity, when the patient was seen in the dermatology department for evaluation of skin discolouration on the thighs.



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When a polyp is not a polyp: incidental finding of a sigmoid schwannoma at first colonoscopic screening

Schwannomas, peripheral nerve sheath tumours arising from Schwann cells, are often associated with inherited disorders such as neurofibromatosis. Gastrointestinal schwannomas, while rare, have been reported in those without personal or family history of neurofibromatosis. Diagnoses of these lesions, however, typically follow evaluations prompted by symptomatic presentations associated with abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, change in bowel habits or positive results on faecal occult blood tests performed for colorectal cancer screening. Further, management of these predominantly benign lesions commonly incorporates surgical resection. We present the case of a sigmoid schwannoma found in an asymptomatic individual on first screening colonoscopy and treated with complete endoscopic polypectomy with anticipated surveillance colonoscopy.



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Pulmonary inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour misdiagnosed as a round pneumonia

Description

A 9-year-old male patient, previously healthy, presented with acute-onset chest pain. The pain was on the right lateral chest, 10/10 in severity and non-reproducible. The patient had 1-week history of cough that had been improving; no fever, weight loss, dyspnoea, palpitations or night sweats were reported. He had positive sick contacts. Examination was remarkable for slight decrease in breath sounds at the right lower lung field posteriorly. Initial chest radiograph showed a well-circumscribed opacity in the right lower lobe posteriorly with adjacent consolidation seen on the lateral view. The lesion appeared to be distinct from the cardiomediastinal silhouette (figure 1). Sonography was performed to characterise the nature of the lesion; however, it was difficult to visualise and only revealed mixed echotexture (figure 2). Contrast-enhanced CT scan of the thorax was then obtained. CT showed a right posterior basal segment consolidation with hypo-enhancing components...



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Late diagnosis: a case of rapidly progressive extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma, nasal type

Extranodal natural killer (NK)/T cell lymphoma, nasal type is a condition that has poor prognosis. Accurate diagnosis of lymphoma is made by pathological findings. We report a case of extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma, nasal type affecting the lung and liver and which was difficult to diagnose because of negative biopsy results from multiple sites. A 39-year-old man who had dry cough and fever for 1 month was referred to our hospital. He had pancytopenia and elevated serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase and soluble interleukin-2 receptor. Hepatosplenomegaly and multiple lung nodules were found on imaging study. Specimens of bronchoscopic lung, percutaneous liver, bone marrow and random skin biopsies were all negative. Open lung biopsy was not definitive. Unfortunately, disease progression was rapid and fatal before results of pleural fluid cytology and a second liver biopsy showed extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma, nasal type. This report focused on diagnostic planning for rapidly progressive extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type.



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A quintessential syndrome with a rare marvelling aetiology: Rosai-Dorfman disease presenting as Conus-Cauda syndrome

A 19-year-old woman presented with a history of severe lower backache and asymmetric proximal lower limb weakness during the past 3 months. In addition, she also suffered from lower motor neuron-type bladder and bowel symptoms. On examination, paraparesis was noted. Further, sensory examination suggested patchy asymmetric sensory loss in both lower limbs with saddle anaesthesia and areflexia. A clinical diagnosis of Conus-Cauda syndrome was made and contrast-enhanced MRI of the lumbar and sacral spine was done, which confirmed the presence of a mass lesion within the spinal canal involving the cauda equina extending up to the sacral level. She underwent partial resection of the lesion following which the neurological deficits and lower backache resolved. Histopathological evaluation and immunohistochemical analyses uncovered Rosai-Dorfman disease. There was no evidence of disease elsewhere in the body. Since the patient improved significantly following surgery and exhibited no further neurological worsening, she remains under close follow-up.



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NMDAR (N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor) encephalitis in a patient with MS (multiple sclerosis): a rare and challenging case

We present a rare case of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis in a 41-year-old Caucasian woman, who initially presented with prominent neuropsychiatric symptoms on the background of pre-existing multiple sclerosis. Here, the authors navigate the muddy water between neurology and psychiatry, describing the caveats of antibody testing with a misdiagnosed case of acute and transient psychotic episode. NMDAR encephalitis in MS is a rare condition, which can be easily confused with a new onset psychotic episode. This case report can be helpful in recognition and diagnosis of this rare condition. Making the right diagnosis is important since it can prevent an unnecessary radical treatment and long-term neuropsychiatric complications.



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2017 Thank you to our reviewers

The Editor would like to publicly acknowledge the people listed below who served as reviewers on the journal during 2017. Without their efforts, the quality of the journal could not be sustained.

A-Cienfuegos, Javier

A.C, Jyothi

Aaronson, Nicole

Abba-Aji, Adam

Abbas, Ossama

Abbas, Syed Hussain

Abbey-Mensah, Geraldine

Abbott, Iain

Abd El-Latif, Amani N

Abdalla, Ahmed

Abdallah, Hassane

Abdel Hay, Sameh

Abdel Razek, Ahmed

Abdeldayem, Hussein

Abdelgadir, Ibtihal

Abdul Haium, Abdul Alim

Abduljabbar, Fahad

Abdullah, Ibrahim

Abdullah, Nurul

Abdussalam, Abdullah

Abe, Kazuo

Abe, Tomomi

Abegunde, Ayokunle

Abeygunasekara, Anuruddha

Abid, Noina

Abou Dargham, Hanadi

Abourazzak, Sana

Abreo, Kenneth

Abreo, Mohini

Abu Amna, Fatima

Abu Bakar, Mohd Zulkiflee

Abu Freha, Naim

Abu Saadeh, Feras

Abu-Arafeh, I

Abu-Zaid, Ahmed

Abuomara, Hossamaldin

Acar, Fahrettin

Aceto, P

Acheampong, Derrick

Acien, Pedro

Adachi, Masanori

Adam, D.N

Adam, Ervin

Adam, Ishag

Adams, Daniel

Adams, Derick

Adams, G. G. W

Adams, Nicholas

Adams, Phil

Adamski, Jill

Adebajo, Ade

...

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A child with tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU) syndrome

Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome is an uncommon disease, probably underdiagnosed in clinical practice. Its aetiology and pathogenesis remain unknown. This syndrome is defined by an association of uveitis and tubulointerstitial nephritis, with no evidence of systemic disease or infection that might cause both ocular and renal inflammation. Renal and ocular manifestations may not occur simultaneously, making the diagnosis even more challenging. Treatment includes topical and oral corticosteroids. Renal involvement usually resolves spontaneously with full recovery of kidney function, however uveitis can persist or recur years after its initial presentation. We report a case of a 13-year-old girl with tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome.



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Nerve reinnervation and itch behaviour in a rat burn wound model

ABSTRACT

In this study, we investigated whether post-burn itch in rats, after a full thickness burn, is correlated to the nervous reinnervation of the burn wound area. For this purpose, we determined scratching duration (expressed as sec/hr) at 24 hours, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks post-burn and combined this with immunohistochemistry for protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5) to identify all nerve fibers, calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) to identify peptidergic fibers, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) for sympathetic fibers and growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) for regrowing fibers.

We found a modest, but highly significant, increase in scratching duration of all burn wound rats from 3 to 12 weeks post-burn (maximally 63±9.5 sec/hr compared to sham 3.1±1.4 sec/hr at 9 weeks). At 24 hours post-burn, all nerve fibers had disappeared from the burn area. Around 4 weeks post-burn PGP 9.5- and CGRP-immunoreactive nerve fibers returned to control levels. TH- and GAP-43-IR nerve fibers, which we found to be almost completely co-localized, did not regrow. No correlation was found between scratching duration and nervous reinnervation of the skin.

The present results suggest that in rat, like in human, burn wound healing will induce increased scratching, which is not correlated to nervous reinnervation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.



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Dicer inactivation stimulates limb regeneration ability in Xenopus laevis

Abstract

The ontogenetic decline of regeneration capacity in the anuran amphibian Xenopus makes it an excellent model for regeneration studies. However, the cause of the regeneration ability decline is not fully understood. MicroRNAs regulate animal development, and have been indicated in various regeneration situations. However, little is known about the role of microRNAs during limb regeneration in Xenopus. This study investigates the effect of Dicer, an enzyme responsible for microRNA maturation, on limb development and regeneration in Xenopus. Dicer is expressed in the developing Xenopus limbs, and is upregulated after limb amputation during both regeneration-competent and -deficient stages of tadpole development. Inactivation of Dicer in early (NF stage 53) tadpole limb buds leads to shorter tibulare/fibulare formation, but does not affect limb regeneration. However, in late stage, regeneration-deficient tadpole limbs (NF stage 57), Dicer inactivation restores the regeneration blastema, and stimulates limb regeneration. Thus, our results demonstrated that Xenopus limb regeneration can be stimulated by inactivation of Dicer in non-regenerating tadpoles, indicating that microRNAs present in late stage tadpole limbs may be involved in the ontogenetic decline of limb regeneration in Xenopus. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.



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Experiences of Australian men diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer: a qualitative study

Objective

To explore men’s lived experience of advanced prostate cancer (PCa) and preferences for support.

Design

Cross-sectional qualitative study applying open-ended surveys and interviews conducted between June and November 2016. Interviews audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim and analysed from an interpretive phenomenological perspective.

Setting

Australia, nation-wide.

Participants

39 men diagnosed with advanced PCa (metastatic or castration-resistant biochemical regression) were surveyed with 28 men subsequently completing a semistructured in depth telephone interview.

Results

Thematic analysis of interviews identified two organising themes: lived experience and supportive care. Lived experience included six superordinate themes: regret about late diagnosis and treatment decisions, being discounted in the health system, fear/uncertainty about the future, acceptance of their situation, masculinity and treatment effects. Supportive care included five superordinate themes: communication, care coordination, accessible care, shared experience/peer support and involvement of their partner/family.

Conclusions

Life course and the health and social context of PCa influence men’s experiences of advanced disease. Multimodal interventions integrating peer support and specialist nurses are needed that more closely articulate with men’s expressed needs.



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Evaluation of learning from Practical Obstetric Multi-Professional Training and its impact on patient outcomes in Australia using Kirkpatricks framework: a mixed methods study

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the implementation of the Practical Obstetric Multi-Professional Training (PROMPT) simulation using the Kirkpatrick’s framework. We explored participants’ acquisition of knowledge and skills, its impact on clinical outcomes and organisational change to integrate the PROMPT programme as a credentialing tool. We also aimed to assess participants’ perception of usefulness of PROMPT in their clinical practice.

Study design

Mixed methods approach with a pre-test/post-test design.

Setting

Healthcare network providing obstetric care in Victoria, Australia.

Participants

Medical and midwifery staff attending PROMPT between 2013 and 2015 (n=508); clinical outcomes were evaluated in two cohorts: 2011–2012 (n=15 361 births) and 2014–2015 (n=12 388 births).

Intervention

Attendance of the PROMPT programme, a simulation programme taught in multidisciplinary teams to facilitate teaching emergency obstetric skills.

Main outcome measure

Clinical outcomes compared before and after embedding PROMPT in educational practice.

Secondary outcome measure

Assessment of knowledge gained by participants through a qualitative analysis and description of process of embedding PROMPT in educational practice.

Results

There was a change in the management of postpartum haemorrhage by early recognition and intervention. The key learning themes described by participants were being prepared with a prior understanding of procedures and equipment, communication, leadership and learning in a safe, supportive environment. Participants reported a positive learning experience and increase in confidence in managing emergency obstetric situations through the PROMPT programme, which was perceived as a realistic demonstration of the emergencies.

Conclusion

Participants reported an improvement of both clinical and non-technical skills highlighting principles of teamwork, communication, leadership and prioritisation in an emergency situation. An improvement was observed in management of postpartum haemorrhage, but no significant change was noted in clinical outcomes over a 2-year period after PROMPT. However, the skills acquired by medical and midwifery staff justify embedding PROMPT in educational programmes.



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The development of an online intervention (Care Assist) to support male caregivers of women with breast cancer: a protocol for a mixed methods study

Introduction

It is projected that 17 730 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia in 2017, with 3114 of these predicted to be fatal. Caregiving for a person with cancer can significantly impact caregivers’ physical and mental health. Many caregivers feel ill-prepared for this role, especially when care involves complex medical needs accompanied by the psychological challenges experienced following a cancer diagnosis.

Methods and analysis

This study employs a convergent, parallel, mixed methods design combining an online survey with an optional interview. Eligible, consenting participants will be invited to participate in a survey to examine (1) participants’ unmet needs, (2) challenges experienced throughout the cancer journey, (3) perceived self-efficacy to determine participants’ level of confidence in undertaking caregiver tasks, (4) views regarding suitable content to include in a caregiver training intervention, (5) preferred method of intervention delivery (ie, website, smartphone application and/or interactive video), and (6) preferences for the timing of delivery of the intervention content (ie, ability to choose a module, access to the entire content or have a set order in which they receive the information). Caregivers will be eligible to participate if they (1) are male, (2) have previously cared for or are currently caring for a woman with breast cancer, (3) are aged over 18 years, and (4) do not currently suffer from a cognitive impairment or mental health condition (ie, depression, anxiety). Data analysis will include examination of differences in psychological outcomes and needs based on demographic variables, and mediation analysis to explore whether self-efficacy mediates the relationship between challenges, unmet needs and distress. Qualitative data will be analysed using thematic analysis.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was reviewed and approved by two human research ethics committees within Australia. We anticipate two to three publications may be developed from the study.



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Theory of change for the delivery of talking therapies by lay workers to survivors of humanitarian crises in low-income and middle-income countries: protocol of a systematic review

Introduction

There is a severe shortage of specialist mental healthcare providers in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) affected by humanitarian crises. In these settings, talking therapies may be delivered by non-specialists, including lay workers with no tertiary education or formal certification in mental health. This systematic review will synthesise the literature on the implementation and effectiveness of talking therapies delivered by lay workers in LMICs affected by humanitarian crises, in order to develop a Theory of Change (ToC).

Methods and analysis

Qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods studies assessing the implementation or effectiveness of lay-delivered talking therapies for common mental disorders provided to adult survivors of humanitarian crises in LMICs will be eligible for inclusion. Studies set in high-income countries will be excluded. No restrictions will be applied to language or year of publication. Unpublished studies will be excluded. Seven electronic databases will be searched: MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, PsycEXTRA, Global Health, Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov. Contents pages of three peer-reviewed journals will be hand-searched. Sources of grey literature will include resource directories of two online mental health networks (MHPSS.net and MHInnovation.net) and expert consultation. Forward and backward citation searches of included studies will be performed. Two reviewers will independently screen studies for inclusion, extract data and assess study quality. A narrative synthesis will be conducted, following established guidelines. A ToC map will be amended iteratively to take into account the review results and guide the synthesis.

Ethics and dissemination

Findings will be presented in a manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and disseminated through a coordinated communications strategy targeting knowledge generators, enablers and users.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42017058287.



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Comparison and validation of screening tools for substance use in pregnancy: a cross-sectional study conducted in Maryland prenatal clinics

Introduction

Prescription-drug use in the USA has increased by more than 60% in the last three decades. Prevalence of prescription-drug use among pregnant women is currently estimated around 50%. Prevalence of illicit drug use in the USA is 14.6% among pregnant adolescents, 8.6% among pregnant young adults and 3.2% among pregnant adults. The first step in identifying problematic drug use during pregnancy is screening; however, no specific substance-use screener has been universally recommended for use with pregnant women to identify illicit or prescription-drug use. This study compares and validates three existing substance-use screeners for pregnancy—4 P’s Plus, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Quick Screen/Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) and the Substance Use Risk Profile-Pregnancy (SURP-P) scale.

Methods and analysis

This is a cross-sectional study designed to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and usability of existing substance-use screeners. Recruitment occurs at two obstetrics clinics in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. We are recruiting 500 participants to complete a demographic questionnaire, NIDA Quick Screen/ASSIST, 4 P’s Plus and SURP-P (ordered randomly) during their regularly scheduled prenatal appointment, then again 1 week later by telephone. Participants consent to multidrug urine testing, hair drug testing and allowing access to prescription drug and birth outcome data from electronic medical records. For each screener, reliability and validity will be assessed. Test–retest reliability analysis will be conducted by examining the results of repeated screener administrations within 1 week of original screener administrations for consistency via correlation analysis. Furthermore, we will assess if there are differences in the validity of each screener by age, race and trimester.

Ethics and dissemination

This study is approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Maryland (HP-00072042), Baltimore, and Battelle Memorial Institute (0619–100106433). All participants are required to give their informed consent prior to any study procedure.



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Surgical efficiency in femtosecond laser cataract surgery compared with phacoemulsification cataract surgery: a case-control study

Objectives

To investigate differences in surgical time, the distance the surgical instrument travelled and number of movements required to complete manual phacoemulsification cataract surgery versus femtosecond laser cataract surgery.

Design

Non-randomised comparative case series.

Setting

Single surgery site, Moorfields Eye Hospital, UK.

Participants

40 cataract surgeries of 40 patients.

Interventions

Laser-assisted and manual phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Laser-assisted surgery cases were performed using the AMO Catalys platform.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Computer vision tracking software PhacoTracking were applied to the recordings to establish the distance the instrument travelled, total number of movements (the number of times an instrument stops and starts moving) and time taken for surgery steps including phacoemulsification, irrigation–aspiration (IA) and overall surgery time. The time taken for laser docking and delivery was not included in the analyses.

Results

Data on 19 laser-assisted and 19 manual phacoemulsification surgeries were analysed (two cases were excluded due to insufficient video-recording quality). There were no differences in the number of instrument moves, the distance the instrument travelled or time taken to complete the phacoemulsification stage. However for IA, the number of instrument moves (manual: mean 20 (SD 15) vs laser: mean 38 (SD 22), P=0.008) and time taken (manual: mean 75 s (SD 24) vs laser: mean 108 s (SD 36), P=0.003) were significantly greater for laser cases. For laser versus manual cases overall, there was no difference in number of moves or the distance the instrument travelled, but laser cases took longer (mean 88 s, P=0.049).

Conclusions

Laser cataract surgery cases took longer to complete without accounting for the time taken to complete the laser procedure itself. This appears to be in part due to IA requiring more instrument manoeuvres and taking longer to complete. Data from a large randomised series would better elucidate this relationship.



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Pulmonary metastasis in rectal cancer: a retrospective study of clinicopathological characteristics of 404 patients in Chinese cohort

Objectives

This study aim to investigate the incidence, timing and risk factors of metachronous pulmonary recurrence after curative resection in patients with rectal cancer.

Design

A retrospective cohort study.

Setting

This study was conducted at a tertiary referral cancer hospital.

Participants

A total of 404 patients with rectal cancer who underwent curative resection from 2007 to 2012 at Beijing Hospital were enrolled in this study.

Interventions

The pattern of recurrence was observed and evaluated.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The incidence and timing of recurrences by site were calculated, and the risk factors of pulmonary recurrence were analysed.

Results

The 5-year disease-free survival for the entire cohort was 77.0%. The most common site of recurrence was the lungs, with an incidence of 11.4%, followed by liver. Median interval from rectal surgery to diagnosis of pulmonary recurrence was much longer than that of hepatic recurrence (20 months vs 10 months, P=0.022). Tumour location, pathological tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage and positive circumferential resection margin were identified as independent risk factors for pulmonary recurrence. A predictive model based on the number of risk factors identified on multivariate analysis was developed, 5-year pulmonary recurrence-free survival for patients with 0, 1, 2 and 3 risk factors was 100%, 90.4%, 77.3% and 70.0%, respectively (P<0.001).

Conclusions

This study emphasised that the lung was the most common site of metachronous metastasis in patients with rectal cancer who underwent curative surgery. For patients with unfavourable risk profiles, a more intensive surveillance programme that could lead to the early detection of recurrence is strongly needed.



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Community-deliverable exercise and anxiety in adults with arthritis and other rheumatic diseases: a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Background/purpose

Given conflicting findings, the purpose of this study was to use the meta-analytic approach to examine the effects of exercise (aerobic, strength training or both) on anxiety in adults with arthritis and other rheumatic diseases (AORD).

Methods

Randomised controlled exercise intervention trials ≥4weeks in adults ≥18 years of age with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia were included. Studies were located by searching eight electronic databases, cross-referencing and expert review. Dual selection and data abstraction of studies were performed. Hedge’s standardised effect size (ES) was calculated for each result and pooled using the recently developed inverse heterogeneity model. Two-tailed z-alpha values ≤0.05 and non-overlapping 95% CI were considered statistically significant. Heterogeneity was estimated using Q and I2 with alpha values ≤0.10 for Q considered statistically significant. Small-study effects were examined using funnel plots and Egger’s regression test. In addition, the number needed to treat (NNT), percentile improvement and meta-regression were conducted.

Results

Of the 639 citations screened, 14 studies representing 926 initially enrolled participants (539 exercise, 387 control) met the criteria for inclusion. Length of training (mean±SD) averaged 15.8±6.7 weeks, frequency 3.3±1.3 times per week and duration 28.8±14.3 min per session. Overall, statistically significant reductions in anxiety were found (exercise minus control changes ES=–0.40, 95% CI –0.65 to –0.15, tau2=0.14; Q=40.3, P=0.0004; I2=62.8%). The NNT was 6 with a percentile improvement of 15.5% and an estimated 5.3 million inactive US adults with AORD improving their anxiety if they started exercising regularly. Statistically significant small-study effects were observed (P<0.0001).

Conclusions

Exercise is associated with reductions in anxiety among adults with selected types of AORD. However, a need exists for additional, well-designed, randomised controlled trials on this topic.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42016048728.



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Bone Metabolic Markers in the Clinical Assessment of Patients with Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence Treated with Middle Fossa Craniotomy.

Bone Metabolic Markers in the Clinical Assessment of Patients with Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence Treated with Middle Fossa Craniotomy.

World Neurosurg. 2018 Feb 13;:

Authors: Nguyen T, Lagman C, Sheppard JP, Duong C, Ong V, Poon J, Alkhalid Y, Azzam D, Romiyo P, Prashant GN, Gopen Q, Yang I

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) is a bony defect in the osseous shell of the petrous temporal bone. The pathophysiological association between osteoporosis and SSCD remains poorly understood. We aim to investigate the relationships between serum calcium, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and thyroid stimulating hormone levels, and symptoms in adult patients with SSCD treated through a middle fossa craniotomy.
METHODS: Patient demographics and clinical parameters were collected. Point-biserial correlation analysis was performed to investigate the relationship of bone markers with symptom outcomes. Rates of clinical symptoms were compared before and after surgery using McNemar's tests for paired comparisons of binary measures.
RESULTS: A total of 99 patients (64 females and 35 males; average age 52 years; 118 surgeries) were included. The level of serum calcium was correlated with the need for a second surgery (rpb = -0.35, P = .001). Patients supplemented with calcium post-operatively was negatively correlated with improvements in dizziness (rpb = -0.355, P =0.01). The level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D was correlated with pre-operative hyperacusis (rpb = -0.98, P = .02) and correlated with post-operative autophony (rpb = 0.96, P = .04). Patients supplemented with vitamin D post-operatively showed a positive correlation with hearing decline (rpb = 0.037, P = 0.04) The level of thyroid stimulating hormone was correlated with pre-operative autophony, amplification, and tinnitus (rpb = -0.71, rpb = -0.75, rpb = -0.70, P < .001).
CONCLUSIONS: Bone metabolic markers may be important in the clinical assessment of SSCD patients and could be potential targets for symptom management.

PMID: 29452318 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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The nasal microbiome in chronic rhinosinusitis: analyzing the effects of atopy and bacterial functional pathways in 111 patients.

The nasal microbiome in chronic rhinosinusitis: analyzing the effects of atopy and bacterial functional pathways in 111 patients.

J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2018 Feb 13;:

Authors: Mahdavinia M, Engen PA, LoSavio PS, Naqib A, Khan RJ, Tobin MC, Mehta A, Kota R, Preite N, Codispoti CD, Tajudeen BA, Schleimer RP, Green SJ, Keshavarzian A, Batra PS

PMID: 29452201 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Identification of Clinically Relevant Chronic Rhinosinusitis Endotypes using Cluster Analysis of Mucus Cytokines.

Identification of Clinically Relevant Chronic Rhinosinusitis Endotypes using Cluster Analysis of Mucus Cytokines.

J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2018 Feb 13;:

Authors: Turner JH, Chandra RK, Li P, Bonnet K, Schlundt DG

PMID: 29452200 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Pazopanib effective for bevacizumab-unresponsive epistaxis in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Pazopanib effective for bevacizumab-unresponsive epistaxis in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Laryngoscope. 2018 Feb 16;:

Authors: Parambil JG, Woodard TD, Koc ON

Abstract
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) most commonly manifests with nasal mucosal telangiectasias, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a significant role in this angiodysplasia. We describe a patient with HHT with epistaxis recalcitrant to several endonasal procedures and six cycles of intravenous bevacizumab, for which he was dependent on iron infusions and packed red blood cells transfusions. He then started pazopanib at 100 mg with dramatic improvements in epistaxis and normalization of hemoglobin and iron levels, without replenishment needs for 12 months. This is the first report on the efficacy of pazopanib with high selectivity for abrogating VEGF receptor-2 signaling in HHT, and needs to be explored further. Laryngoscope, 2018.

PMID: 29451965 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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A long-term comparative prospective study between reinnervation and injection laryngoplasty.

A long-term comparative prospective study between reinnervation and injection laryngoplasty.

Laryngoscope. 2018 Feb 16;:

Authors: Lee S, Park K

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study compared and assessed long-term voice outcomes when thyroidectomy-related unilateral vocal fold paralysis (VFP) was managed using injection laryngoplasty (IL) and recurrent laryngeal nerve reinnervation (RLNR).
STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study.
METHODS: A prospective clinical trial was performed from March 2005 to January 2016 at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital (Bucheon, South Korea). Nineteen patients who underwent ansa cervicalis to RLNR or direct reinnervation, and 43 patients who underwent IL to treat thyroidectomy-related unilateral VFP, were enrolled.
RESULTS: All voice parameters exhibited statistically significant improvement 12 months post-IL, which persisted for 24 and 36 months (P < 0.05). However, at 36 months post-IL, some voice parameters had deteriorated relative to the values at 24 months post-IL. After RLNR, all voice parameters exhibited statistically significant improvement after 12 months, and the improvements remained stable until 36 months postsurgery without deterioration of voice parameters (P < 0.05). At 36 months, RLNR provided better voice results than IL (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: Both RLNR and IL yielded statistically significant voice improvements at 36 months postoperatively. However, after 36 months, RLNR provided better results than IL.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III. Laryngoscope, 2018.

PMID: 29451964 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Patterns of care and outcomes of adjuvant therapy for high-risk head and neck cancer after surgery.

Patterns of care and outcomes of adjuvant therapy for high-risk head and neck cancer after surgery.

Head Neck. 2018 Feb 16;:

Authors: Osborn VW, Givi B, Rineer J, Roden D, Sheth N, Lederman A, Katsoulakis E, Hu K, Schreiber D

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Postoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is considered standard of care in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer with positive margins and/or extracapsular extension (ECE).
METHODS: The National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) was queried to identify patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck with stages III to IVB disease or with positive margins and/or ECE diagnosed between 2004 and 2012 receiving postoperative radiotherapy (RT). Using univariable and multivariable logistic and Cox regression, we assessed for predictors of CRT use and covariables impacting overall survival (OS), including in a propensity-matched subset.
RESULTS: Of 12 224 patients, 67.1% with positive margins and/or ECE received CRT as well as 54.0% without positive margins and/or ECE. The 5-year OS was 61.6% for RT alone versus 67.4% for CRT. In the propensity-matched cohort, OS benefit persisted with CRT, including in a subset with positive margins and/or ECE but not without.
CONCLUSION: Postoperative CRT seems underutilized with positive margins and/or ECE and overutilized without positive margins and/or ECE. The CRT was associated with improved OS but the benefit persisted only in the subset with positive margins and/or ECE.

PMID: 29451961 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Using quantitative tissue phenotype to assess the margins of surgical samples from a pan-Canadian surgery study.

Using quantitative tissue phenotype to assess the margins of surgical samples from a pan-Canadian surgery study.

Head Neck. 2018 Feb 16;:

Authors: Guillaud M, MacAulay CE, Berean KW, Bullock M, Guggisberg K, Klieb H, Puttagunta L, Penner C, Kwan K, Rosin MP, Poh CF

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to use quantitative tissue phenotype (QTP) to assess the surgical margins to examine if a fluorescence visualization-guided surgical approach produces a shift in the surgical field by sparing normal tissue while catching high-risk tissue.
METHODS: Using our QTP to calculate the degree of nuclear chromatin abnormalities, Nuclear Phenotypic Score (NPS), we analyzed 1290 biopsy specimens taken from surgical samples of 248 patients enrolled in the Efficacy of Optically-guided Surgery in the Management of Early-staged Oral Cancer (COOLS) trial. Multiple margin specimens were collected from each surgical specimen according to the presence of fluorescence visualization alterations and the distance to the surgical margins.
RESULTS: The NPS in fluorescence visualization-altered (fluorescence visualization-positive) samples was significantly higher than that in fluorescence visualization-retained (fluorescence visualization-negative) samples. There was a constant trend of decreasing NPS of margin samples from non-adjacent-fluorescence visualization margins to adjacent-fluorescence visualization margins.
CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that using fluorescence visualization to guide surgery has the potential to spare more normal tissue at surgical margins.

PMID: 29451953 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Time course and clinical characterization of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity after treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a South East Asian population.

Time course and clinical characterization of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity after treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a South East Asian population.

Head Neck. 2018 Feb 16;:

Authors: Chan SL, Ng LS, Goh X, Siow CH, Goh HL, Goh BC, Cheo T, Loh KS, Brunham LR

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to characterize the clinical course of hearing loss in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and the clinical factors affecting its severity.
METHODS: The time course of hearing loss in patients with NPC was assessed using threshold shift from baseline and Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grade.
RESULTS: In the chemoradiotherapy (CRT) groups, the threshold shift was significantly higher from 3 months at 4 kHz (P = 2.30 × 10-9 , concurrent CRT only) but not within 2 years posttreatment in the radiotherapy (RT) group. The CRT groups had worse CTCAE grades than the RT group (percentage of latest CTCAE grade ≥1: 64.9% vs 29.0%, respectively). Cumulative cisplatin dose and cochlear RT dose significantly affects threshold shifts, especially at high frequencies.
CONCLUSION: Although cisplatin led to high frequency hearing impairment from about 3 months posttreatment, RT conferred no significant hearing impairment in the first 2 years.

PMID: 29451951 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Association of an intact E2 gene with higher HPV viral load, higher viral oncogene expression, and improved clinical outcome in HPV16 positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Association of an intact E2 gene with higher HPV viral load, higher viral oncogene expression, and improved clinical outcome in HPV16 positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

PLoS One. 2018;13(2):e0191581

Authors: Anayannis NV, Schlecht NF, Ben-Dayan M, Smith RV, Belbin TJ, Ow TJ, Blakaj DM, Burk RD, Leonard SM, Woodman CB, Parish JL, Prystowsky MB

Abstract
To assess the relationship of E2 gene disruption with viral gene expression and clinical outcome in human papillomavirus (HPV) positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, we evaluated 31 oropharyngeal and 17 non-oropharyngeal HPV16 positive carcinomas using two PCR-based methods to test for disruption of E2, followed by Sanger sequencing. Expression of HPV16 E6, E7 and E2 transcripts, along with cellular ARF and INK4A, were also assessed by RT-qPCR. Associations between E2 disruption, E2/E6/E7 expression, and clinical outcome were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis for loco-regional recurrence and disease-specific survival. The majority (n = 21, 68%) of HPV16 positive oropharyngeal carcinomas had an intact E2 gene, whereas the majority of HPV16 positive non-oropharyngeal carcinomas (n = 10, 59%) had a disrupted E2 gene. Three of the oropharyngeal tumors and two of the non-oropharyngeal tumors had deletions within E2. Detection of an intact E2 gene was associated with a higher DNA viral load and increased E2/E6/E7, ARF and INK4A expression in oropharyngeal tumors. Oropharyngeal carcinomas with an intact E2 had a lower risk of loco-regional recurrence (log-rank p = 0.04) and improved disease-specific survival (p = 0.03) compared to tumors with disrupted E2. In addition, high E7 expression was associated with lower risk of loco-regional recurrence (p = 0.004) as was high E6 expression (p = 0.006). In summary, an intact E2 gene is more common in HPV16 positive oropharyngeal than non-oropharyngeal carcinomas; the presence of an intact E2 gene is associated with higher HPV viral load, higher viral oncogene expression, and improved clinical outcome compared to patients with a disrupted E2 gene in oropharyngeal cancer.

PMID: 29451891 [PubMed - in process]



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Development and validation of a radiomic signature to predict HPV (p16) status from standard CT imaging: a multicenter study.

Related Articles

Development and validation of a radiomic signature to predict HPV (p16) status from standard CT imaging: a multicenter study.

Br J Radiol. 2018 Feb 16;:20170498

Authors: Rth L, M B, A J, Fjp H, Fwr F, Sh H, B C, Jn W, B O, D R, Cr L, Rh B, O R, S TL, M G, K I, P L

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: HPV positive oropharyngeal cancer (OPSCC) is biologically and clinically different from HPV negative OPSCC. Here, we evaluate the use of a radiomic approach to identify the HPV status of OPSCC.
METHODS: Four independent cohorts, totaling 778 OPSCC patients with HPV determined by p16 were collected. We randomly assigned 80% of all data for model training (N=628) and 20% for validation (N=150). On the pre-treatment CT images, 902 radiomic features were calculated from the gross tumor volume (GTV). Multivariable modeling was performed using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO). To assess the impact of CT artifacts in predicting HPV (p16), a model was developed on all training data (Mall) and on the artifact-free subset of training data (Mno art). Models were validated on all validation data (Vall), and the subgroups with (Vart) and without (Vno art) artifacts. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to compare HPV status based on p16 and radiomic model predictions.
RESULTS: The area under the receiver operator curve (AUC) for Mall and Mno art ranged between 0.70-0.80 and was not significantly different for all validation datasets. There was a consistent and significant split between survival curves with HPV status determined by p16 (p=0.007; HR: 0.46), Mall (p=0.036; HR: 0.55) and Mno art (p=0.027; HR: 0.49).
CONCLUSION: This study provides proof of concept that molecular information can be derived from standard medical images and shows potential for radiomics as imaging biomarker of HPV status. Advances in knowledge: Radiomics has the potential to identify clinically relevant molecular phenotypes.

PMID: 29451412 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Assessing normal values for the FACE-Q Rhinoplasty module: an observational study.

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Assessing normal values for the FACE-Q Rhinoplasty module: an observational study.

Clin Otolaryngol. 2018 Feb 16;:

Authors: Radulesco T, Mancini J, Penicaud M, Dessi P, Michel J

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to determine normal values for the FACE-Q Rhinoplasty Module.
DESIGN: A prospective monocentric observational cohort study.
SETTING: We tested FACE-Q Satisfaction with Nose and Satisfaction with Nostrils in two groups of patients, seeking or not a rhinoplasty.
PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and four patients were included in the study, fifty-two in each group.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcome was to identify possible cutting scores to establish normal values for each of the FQRM questionnaires.
RESULTS: Regarding the Satisfaction with Nose scale, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p < 0.001). Area under the ROC curve was 0.964 (95%CI= 0.931-0.997). Forty-seven points was the value presenting the best Youden index (Sensitivity = 96.2%, Specificity =86.5%). Regarding the Satisfaction with Nostrils scale, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p < 0.001). Area under the ROC curve was 0.820 (95%CI= 0.741-0.899). Sixty-four points was the value presenting the best Youden index (Sensitivity=94.2%, Specificity=53.8%).
CONCLUSION: This is the first study to generate normative data for the FACE-Q rhinoplasty module. The findings presented here have important implications for future clinical care and research. The definition of a normal score can help practitioners to better analyze their patients and to support a therapeutic indication. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID: 29451357 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Familial Nonmedullary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Retrospective Analysis of 117 Families.

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Familial Nonmedullary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Retrospective Analysis of 117 Families.

Chin Med J (Engl). 2018 Feb 20;131(4):395-401

Authors: Zhang YB, Wang XX, Zhang XW, Li ZJ, Liu J, Xu ZG, Tang PZ

Abstract
Background: The first and most important step in characterizing familial nonmedullary thyroid carcinoma (NMTC) is to distinguish the true familial patients, which is the prerequisite for all accurate analyses. This study aimed to investigate whether patients from families with ≥3 first-degree relatives affected with NMTC have different characteristics than patients from families with only two affected members, and to compare these patients with those with sporadic disease.
Methods:: We analyzed the clinicopathological features and prognosis of 209 familial and 1120 sporadic cases of NMTC. Familial patients were further divided into two subgroups: families with two affected members and families with ≥3 affected members.
Results:: The familial group had a significantly higher risk of bilateral growth, multifocality, extrathyroidal extension, and lateral lymph node metastasis than the sporadic group (P < 0.05). These main features were also different between the group with ≥3 affected members and the sporadic group. The only difference between the two affected members' group and the sporadic group was incidence of multifocality (P < 0.05). The probability of disease recurrence in patients from families with ≥3 affected members was significantly higher than that in sporadic cases (14.46% vs. 5.27%; P = 0.001), while the probability in patients from families with two affected members was similar to that in sporadic patients (6.35% vs. 5.27%; P = 0.610). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a statistically significant difference in disease-free survival between the two subgroups (85.54% vs. 93.65%; P = 0.045).
Conclusions:: Patients from families with ≥3 members affected by NMTC have more aggressive features and a worse prognosis than those from families with only two affected members. Patients from families with ≥3 affected first-degree relatives may be considered to have true familial NMTC.

PMID: 29451143 [PubMed - in process]



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'Oncokompas', a web-based self-management application to support patient activation and optimal supportive care: a feasibility study among breast cancer survivors.

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'Oncokompas', a web-based self-management application to support patient activation and optimal supportive care: a feasibility study among breast cancer survivors.

Acta Oncol. 2018 Feb 16;:1-11

Authors: Melissant HC, Verdonck-de Leeuw IM, Lissenberg-Witte BI, Konings IR, Cuijpers P, Van Uden-Kraan CF

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cancer survivors have to deal with symptoms related to cancer and its treatment. In Oncokompas, cancer survivors monitor their quality of life by completing patient reported outcome measures (PROMs), followed by personalized feedback, self-care advice, and supportive care options to stimulate patient activation. The aim of this study was to investigate feasibility and pretest-posttest differences of Oncokompas including a newly developed breast cancer (BC) module among BC survivors.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: A pretest-posttest design was used. Feasibility was investigated by means of adoption, usage, and satisfaction rates. Several socio-demographic and clinical factors, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) were explored that might be associated with patient satisfaction. Barriers and facilitators of Oncokompas feasibility were investigated by evaluating nurse consultation reports. Differences in patient activation (Patient Activation Measure) and patient-physician interaction (Perceived Efficacy in Patient-Physician Interactions) before and after Oncokompas use were investigated.
RESULTS: In total, 101 BC survivors participated. Oncokompas had an adoption rate of 75%, a usage rate of 75-84%, a mean satisfaction score of 6.9 (range 0-10) and a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of -36 (range -100-100) (N = 68). The BC module had a mean satisfaction score of 7.6. BC survivors who received surgery including chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy were significantly more satisfied with Oncokompas than BC survivors with surgery alone (p = .013). Six facilitators and 10 barriers of Oncokompas feasibility were identified. After using Oncokompas, BC survivors scored significantly higher on patient activation (p = .007; r = .24), but not on patient-physician interaction (p = .75).
CONCLUSION: Oncokompas including a BC module is considered feasible, but needs further optimization to increase user satisfaction. This study shows the value of tailoring eHealth applications for cancer survivors to their specific tumor type. Oncokompas including the BC module seems to improve patient activation among BC survivors.

PMID: 29451059 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Indicators for imaging in periorbital cellulitis secondary to rhinosinusitis.

Related Articles

Indicators for imaging in periorbital cellulitis secondary to rhinosinusitis.

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2018 Feb 15;:

Authors: Jabarin B, Eviatar E, Israel O, Marom T, Gavriel H

Abstract
PURPOSE: Our objective was to identify the clinical indicators for subperiosteal orbital abscess (SPOA) among patients who present with periorbital cellulitis secondary to rhinosinusitis, and to evaluate the need for performing a computerized tomography (CT) scan.
METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of all patients admitted to our tertiary care emergency department between 2006 and 2014 was conducted. Included were healthy patients with acute periorbital cellulitis secondary to rhinosinusitis. Variables analyzed included age, gender, duration of symptoms, previous antibiotic therapy, highest recorded temperature, physical examination findings, ophthalmologist's examination results, laboratory results, and interpretation of imaging studies, when performed.
RESULTS: Of the 123 identified patients, 78 (63%) were males, with a mean age of 4 years (range 1-70). 68 patients were categorized as Chandler's 1 disease, 2 as Chandler's 2, and 53 as Chandler's 3. 68 patients underwent a CT scan, of those 53 had SPOA. Proptosis and ophthalmoplegia were strongly associated with the presence of an abscess (P < 0.001). However, 14 patients with no ophthalmoplegia or proptosis who underwent a CT scan were older (mean age, 10 years; P < 0.028), and had higher neutrophil count of 78 versus 59% (P = 0.01). This group of patients had a clinically rapidly progressive disease, receiving wider broad-spectrum antibiotics or had their antibiotic treatment replaced to broader spectrum antibiotics through their course of treatment (48.2% compared to only 6.1%).
CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed that patients with proptosis and/or limitation of extraocular movements are at high risk for developing SPOA, yet many do not have these predictors. Other features can identify patients who do not have proptosis and/or limitation of extraocular movements but do have significant risk of SPOA, and in these cases performing an imaging study is strongly suggested.

PMID: 29450710 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Social Factors in the Development of Chronic Rhinosinusitis: a Systematic Review.

Related Articles

Social Factors in the Development of Chronic Rhinosinusitis: a Systematic Review.

Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2018 Feb 16;18(2):7

Authors: Geramas I, Terzakis D, Hatzimanolis E, Georgalas C

Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In an era where prevention is paramount, understanding social factors for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) may facilitate preventive interventions that mitigate risk factors associated with the initiation or progression of the disease.
RECENT FINDINGS: Both passive and active smoking are clearly and unequivocally associated with both the incidence and the severity of rhinosinusitis, while there an increasing body of evidence linking social deprivation and low socioeconomic status with rhinosinusitis and its complications. However, overall, only a handful of studies were longitudinal, while the available studies suffer from lack of standardized definitions of rhinosinusitis. In this systematic review, we assessed the available evidence linking CRS with social factors, such as socioeconomic status and class, educational status, family status, living and working location and conditions, and use of toxins or recreational drugs as well as exercise and diet. Thirty studies from 1995 onwards fulfilled our inclusion criteria and were used for this review. Social deprivation and low socioeconomic level seem to be directly associated with rhinosinusitis, as there are pollutants in living or working environment. A clear and direct association between smoking (both active and passive) and rhinosinusitis was also shown. However, the link between rhinosinusitis and education level, and exercise and diet, if any, seems to be more complex.

PMID: 29450659 [PubMed - in process]



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