Category: Nevin Manimala

Cancer Med. 2023 Mar 19. doi: 10.1002/cam4.5801. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Salivary gland malignancies are rare and are often acompanied by poor prognoses. So, identifying the populations with risk factors and timely intervention to avoid disease progression is significant. This study provides an effective prediction model to screen the target patients and is helpful to construct a cost-effective follow-up strategy. We enrolled 249 patients diagnosed with salivary gland tumors and analyzed prognostic risk factors using Cox proportional hazard univariable and multivariable regression models. The patients’ data were split into training and validation sets on a 7:3 ratio, and the random survival forest (RSF) model was established using the training sets and validated using the validation sets. The maximally selected rank statistics method was used to determine a cut point value corresponding to the most significant relation with survival. Univariable Cox regression suggested age, smoking, alcohol consumption, untreated, neural invasion, capsular invasion, skin invasion, tumors larger than 4 cm, advanced T and N stage, distant metastasis, and non-mucous cell carcinoma were risk factors for poor prognosis, and multivariable analysis suggested that female, aging, smoking, untreated, and non-mucous cell carcinoma were risk factors. The time-dependent ROC curve showed the AUC of the RSF prediction model on 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival were 0.696, 0.779, and 0.765 respectively in the validation sets. Log-rank tests suggested that the cut point 7.42 risk score calculated from the RSF was most effective in dividing patients with significantly different prognoses. The prediction model based on the RSF could effectively screen patients with poor prognoses.

PMID:36934429 | DOI:10.1002/cam4.5801

Ann Intensive Care. 2023 Mar 19;13(1):20. doi: 10.1186/s13613-023-01111-2.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:36934400 | DOI:10.1186/s13613-023-01111-2

Pediatr Surg Int. 2023 Mar 19;39(1):153. doi: 10.1007/s00383-023-05440-y.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: First, to assess the number of spinal cord anomalies (SCA), specifically tethered spinal cord (TSC) in patients with anorectal malformations (ARM), identified with spinal cord imaging (i.e. spinal cord US and/or MRI). Second, to report outcomes after TSC treatment.

METHODS: A retrospective mono-center study was performed. All ARM patients born between January 2000 and December 2021 were included. Screening for SCA consisted of spinal cord US and/or MRI. Radiology reports were scored on presence of SCA. Data were presented with descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: In total, 254 patients were eligible for inclusion, of whom 234 (92.1%) underwent spinal cord imaging. In total, 52 (22.2%) patients had a SCA, diagnosed with US (n = 20, 38.5%), MRI (n = 10, 19.2%), or both US and MRI (n = 22, 42.3%), of whom 12 (23.5%) with simple, 27 (52.7%) intermediate, and 12 (23.5%) complex ARM types. TSC was identified in 19 patients (8.1%), of whom 4 (21.1%) underwent uncomplicated neurosurgical intervention.

CONCLUSIONS: SCA were present in 22% of ARM patients both in simple, as well as more complex ARM types. TSC was present in 19 patients with SCA, of whom 4 underwent uncomplicated neurosurgical intervention. Therefore, screening for SCA seems to be important for all ARM patients, regardless of ARM type.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

PMID:36934393 | DOI:10.1007/s00383-023-05440-y

J Sleep Res. 2023 Mar 19:e13878. doi: 10.1111/jsr.13878. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The orexin 2 receptor-selective agonist danavorexton (TAK-925) has been shown to produce wake-promoting effects in wild-type mice, narcolepsy-model mice, and individuals with narcolepsy type 1 and type 2. Here, we report wake-promoting effects of danavorexton in non-human primates and healthy men during their sleep phase. Electroencephalogram analyses revealed that subcutaneous administration of danavorexton significantly increased wakefulness in common marmosets (p < 0.05 at 0.1 mg kg^-1 , and p < 0.001 at 1 mg kg^-1 and 10 mg kg^-1 ) and cynomolgus monkeys (p ≤ 0.05 at 1 mg kg^-1 and 3 mg kg^-1 ). In a phase 1b crossover, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled and active-controlled study in sleep-deprived healthy participants (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03522506), modafinil 300 mg (used to demonstrate assay sensitivity) and continuous infusion of danavorexton 44 mg and danavorexton 112 mg showed statistically superior wake-promoting effects to placebo (n = 18). Measured using the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test, mean (standard deviation) sleep latencies during infusion of danavorexton 44 mg, danavorexton 112 mg and placebo were 21.4 (8.9), 31.8 (3.2) and 9.2 (6.4) min, respectively. Least-squares mean difference from placebo in average sleep latency was 16.8 min with danavorexton 44 mg and 30.2 min with danavorexton 112 mg (both p < 0.001). Karolinska Sleepiness Scale scores were statistically significantly lower (indicating decreased sleepiness) for participants receiving danavorexton than for those receiving placebo during infusion (danavorexton 44 mg, p = 0.010; danavorexton 112 mg, p < 0.001). Together, these results indicate that an orexin 2 receptor agonist increases wakefulness in non-human primates and healthy individuals during their sleep phase.

PMID:36934366 | DOI:10.1111/jsr.13878

Age Ageing. 2023 Mar 1;52(3):afad022. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afad022.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Some hospital admissions of nursing home residents (NHRs) might be attributed to inadequate interprofessional collaboration. To improve general practitioner-nurse collaboration in nursing homes (NHs), we developed an intervention package (interprof ACT) in a previous study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of interprof ACT on the proportion of hospitalisation and other clinical parameters within 12 months from randomisation among NHRs.

METHODS: Multicentre, cluster randomised controlled trial in 34 German NHs. NHRs of the control group received usual care, whereas NHRs in the intervention group received interprof ACT. Eligible NHs had at least 40 long-term care residents. NHs were randomised 1:1 pairwise. Blinded assessors collected primary outcome data.

RESULTS: Seventeen NHs (320 NHRs) were assigned to interprof ACT and 17 NHs (323 NHRs) to usual care. In the intervention group, 136 (42.5%) NHRs were hospitalised at least once within 12 months from randomisation and 151 (46.7%) in the control group (odds ratio (OR): 0.82, 95% confidence interval (CI): [0.55; 1.22], P = 0.33). No differences were found for the average number of hospitalisations: 0.8 hospitalisations per NHR (rate ratio (RR) 0.90, 95% CI: [0.66, 1.25], P = 0.54). Average length of stay was 5.7 days for NHRs in the intervention group and 6.5 days in the control group (RR: 0.70, 95% CI: [0.45, 1.11], P = 0.13). Falls were the most common adverse event, but none was related to the study intervention.

CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of interprof ACT did not show a statistically significant and clinically relevant effect on hospital admission of NHRs.

PMID:36934341 | DOI:10.1093/ageing/afad022

Nicotine Tob Res. 2023 Mar 19:ntad043. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntad043. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Loss aversion is a bias in decision-making wherein potential losses have a greater influence on choices than equivalent gains. Such a bias may protect individuals from harm. Consistent with this idea, lower loss aversion has been measured in individuals who endorse current cigarette smoking as well as other substance use compared to controls matched on important sociodemographic variables (age, gender, educational attainment). The goal of the present study was to systematically replicate and extend this association between loss aversion and smoking status by comparing those meeting criteria for current-, former-, and never-smoking status.

METHODS: 984 individuals (N=984) that endorsed current cigarette-smoking (past 30-day use; n=361), former-smoking (no past 30-day use, >100 cigarettes lifetime; n=317), and never-smoking (No past 30-day use, <100 cigarettes lifetime; n=306) were recruited using standard crowdsourcing methods and completed measures of loss aversion (50-50 gambles) and delay discounting (monetary choice questionnaire), an important decision-making bias with an established relationship to cigarette smoking status.

RESULTS: Lower loss aversion was observed in those endorsing current smoking compared to former-smoking [t(952)=-9.57, Bonferroni corrected p<.0001], and never-smoking [t(952)=-3.99, Bonferroni corrected p=.0002]. Loss aversion was also greater in former- compared to the never-smoking [t(952)=-5.26, Bonferroni corrected p<.0001]. This pattern did not change when accounting for delay discounting and sociodemographics. Delay discounting results replicated prior findings.

CONCLUSIONS: The results support loss aversion as a decision-making bias related to risk for cigarette smoking and other substance use. Further research is needed to understand the causal contributions of loss aversion and delay discounting and their potential intersections.

SIGNIFICANCE: Low loss aversion is a risk factor for cigarette smoking. This study reports higher loss aversion among individuals that endorsed never-smoking and former-smoking status in comparison to those endorsing current cigarette smoking. Loss aversion may influence or be influenced by a change in smoking status.

PMID:36934337 | DOI:10.1093/ntr/ntad043

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2023 Mar 19. doi: 10.1007/s00402-023-04833-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: In the case of stemmed implants for lower limb joint arthroplasty procedures, implant stability and survivorship generally rely on the strength of fixation in the medullary canal regardless of whether the procedure is primary or revision surgery. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the proximal (Dorr classification) and distal (Citak classification) femoral canal geometry classification systems.

METHODS: A total of 200 patients who received standing long leg radiographs (hip to ankle) at our institution were identified using our institutional electronic radiology database. Patients were recruited into 4 groups. There were 100 male and 100 female patients with each of those being split into 50 right-sided and 50 left-sided long-leg standing anteroposterior (AP) radiographs. Two independent, blinded observers reviewed each radiograph on two separate occasions, with a minimum of a one-week interval between sittings to review each respective radiograph.

RESULTS: No statistically significant correlation was found between demographic data and clinical measurements. A statistically significant correlation was found between the patient’s age and BMI results and Citak and Dorr measurements. There was excellent inter-observer and intra-observer agreement for the Citak and Dorr Classifications. The mean Cronbach’s α coefficient was 0.96 (range 0.93-0.98) for the Citak Classification and 0.95 (range 0.83-0.97) for the Dorr Classification. There was also an excellent intra-observer agreement with 95% average pairwise per cent agreement for the Citak Classification and 95% average pairwise per cent agreement for the Dorr classification. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between Dorr Calcar Isthmus and Citak Ratio (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: In this study, the Dorr and Citak classifications are put into relation to each other for the first time. The morphology of the femur was investigated in its entirety and it was shown that there was a positive correlation between the anatomical shape of the proximal and distal medullary canals.

PMID:36934328 | DOI:10.1007/s00402-023-04833-x

Iran J Immunol. 2023 Mar 14;20(1):114-128. doi: 10.22034/iji.2023.92527.2158.

ABSTRACT

Background: An issue that hinders researchers’ access to Natural Killer (NK) cells is their low proportion in peripheral blood leukocytes. This issue is currently addressed by methods involving a series of differentiation and expansions that are time-consuming and expensive. Objective: We have investigated whether the used leukocyte reduction filters, a by-product in the blood transfusion practice that currently is considered waste, can be utilized as a source of the NK cells. Methods: Following the blood donation of 46 donors based on the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization’s protocols, a sample of peripheral blood of each donor and the leukocyte reduction filter used in their donation procedure have been obtained. The entrapped cells were flushed back from the leukocyte reduction filters. Both groups of samples were analyzed using an automatic hematological analyzer. NK cell isolation was done by the MACS negative selection method. The samples have been comparatively analyzed utilizing flow cytometry data of NK cells’ subpopulation compositions, viability, degranulation patterns, and cytotoxic capacity against the K562 cell line. Results: Every major leukocyte population was abundant in the samples extracted from the used leukocyte reduction filters. The NK cells extracted from leukocyte reduction filters did not show any statistically meaningful differences (P<0.5) from peripheral blood samples in terms of subpopulation composition, viability, degranulation potency, and cytotoxic capacity. Conclusion: Used leukocyte reduction filters can be considered an economic, easy to obtain, and robust source of abundant research-grade NK cells.

PMID:36934322 | DOI:10.22034/iji.2023.92527.2158

Iran J Immunol. 2023 Mar 14;20(1):104-113. doi: 10.22034/iji.2023.96695.2453.

ABSTRACT

Background: Abnormal humoral and cellular immune responses have been reported in immune-mediated polyneuropathies. CD137, as a costimulatory molecule and a TNF receptor superfamily member, has been demonstrated to have a key role in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune as well as inflammatory disorders. Objective: To evaluate the transcripts levels of CD137, its ligand (CD137L), and the serum levels of soluble CD137 (sCD137) in patients with immune-mediated polyneuropathy. Methods: A total of 45 patients and 46 sex and age-matched healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. CD137 and CD137L transcript levels were assessed by the Real-Time PCR, and the serum level of sCD137 was measured using the ELISA technique. The Bayesian regression model was used for statistical analysis at the 0.05 significance level in R 4.1.0 statistical environment. Results: Transcript levels of the CD137 and CD137L were higher in polyneuropathy patients in comparison with the healthy subjects (P=0.006 for both). Conversely, the mean level of sCD137 was significantly lower in the sera of patients compared to the controls (P<0.001). Conclusion: Our findings point to the possible role of CD137 and CD137L in immune-mediated polyneuropathy pathogenesis. More investigations are required to clarify the exact contributions of the mentioned molecules to the pathogenesis of immune-mediated polyneuropathies.

PMID:36934321 | DOI:10.22034/iji.2023.96695.2453

Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2023 Mar 19. doi: 10.1002/alr.23158. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Olfactory dysfunction has been reported to be involved in Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathogenesis. However, gustatory dysfunction in PD has not been evaluated as in-depth as olfactory dysfunction. We reviewed the previously published studies regarding gustatory function in PD patients and suggested the possibility that gustatory dysfunction may also be associated with PD.

METHODS: MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase, and PubMed databases were searched for studies evaluating gustatory function in PD patients. We used the standardized mean difference and a 95% confidence interval (CI) as the effect analysis index regarding the taste strip test. The relative risk and 95% CI were used as the effect analysis index for the questionnaires and propylthiouracil (PTU)/phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) perception test. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using forest plots, Cochran’s Q, and the I² statistic; heterogeneity was considered high when I² was over 75%. Publication bias was assessed by funnel plots and the Egger bias test.

RESULTS: We identified 19 articles that reported the results of gustatory function tests in PD patients and healthy controls. Most of these studies used various gustatory tests, including taste strips, questionnaires, taste solutions, PTU/PTC perception tests, and electrogustometry, and reported significantly lower gustatory function in PD patients than in the controls. However, several articles reported contradictory results.

CONCLUSIONS: Based on these studies, gustatory dysfunction is closely related to PD. However, the number of studies and enrolled subjects was small, and a unified gustatory function test was lacking. Therefore, further studies with larger populations and normalized gustatory function tests are needed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:36934313 | DOI:10.1002/alr.23158