Category: Nevin Manimala

Target Oncol. 2023 Jan 23. doi: 10.1007/s11523-022-00933-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) mutations occur in a significant proportion of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (iCCAs). No data are available regarding the prognostic impact of IDH1 mutations in advanced iCCA patients after progression on first-line therapies.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the role of IDH1 mutation in advanced iCCA after progression on first-line therapies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: After progression on first-line therapies for advanced iCCA, consecutive patients were retrospectively collected. The IDH1 status was tested at baseline. This analysis aimed to examine the association between the presence of IDH1 missense mutations and survival outcomes in patients with advanced iCCA treated with a second-line therapy.

RESULTS: The analysis included 119 patients; 56/119 (47%) were IDH1 mutated (IDH1m) and 63/119 (53%) were IDH1 wild type (IDH1 WT). At univariate analysis for overall survival (OS), the presence of IDH1 mutation was associated with a worse median OS (mOS; 8.2 vs. 14.1 months; hazard ratio [HR] 1.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-3.0, p = 0.0047). Patients harboring IDH1 mutations showed a worse objective response rate (ORR) compared with patients without IDH1 mutation, whereas no significant differences in disease control rate (DCR) were found. Multivariate analysis confirmed IDH1 mutations as an independent negative prognostic factor for OS (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.7, p = 0.0256). By evaluating only patients receiving FOLFOX as second-line therapy, no statistically significant differences were found in terms of both OS and PFS between IDH1m and IDH1 WT patients. In this subset of patients, those harboring an IDH1 mutation showed a worse ORR and DCR compared with those without. Finally, at univariate analysis for OS from third-line treatment, the presence of an IDH1 mutation was associated with a trend toward a worse mOS (6.0 vs. 11.9 months; HR 1.6, 95% CI 0.8-3.2, p = 0.25).

CONCLUSION: The present analysis constitutes the first evidence of a negative prognostic impact of IDH1 mutations in a cohort of patients treated after progression on first-line therapies in contrast to IDH1 inhibitors.

PMID:36689074 | DOI:10.1007/s11523-022-00933-7

Cogn Process. 2023 Jan 23. doi: 10.1007/s10339-022-01122-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

When studying wayfinding in urban environments, researchers are often interested in obtaining measures of participants’ survey knowledge, i.e., their estimate of distant locations relative to other places. Previous work showed that distance estimations are consistently biased when no direct route is available to the queried target or when participants follow a detour. Here we investigated whether a corresponding bias is manifested in two other popular measures of survey knowledge: a pointing task and a sketchmapping task. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a systematic bias in pointing/sketchmapping performance associated with the preferred route choice in an applied urban setting. The results were mixed. We found moderate evidence for the presence of a systematic bias, but only for a subset of urban locations. When two plausible routes to the target were available, survey knowledge estimates were significantly biased in the direction of the route chosen by the participant. When only one plausible route was available, we did not find a statistically significant pattern. The results may have methodological implications for spatial cognition studies in applied urban settings that might be obtaining systematically biased survey knowledge estimates at some urban locations. Researchers should be aware that the choice of urban locations from which pointing and sketchmapping are performed might systematically distort the results, in particular when two plausible but diverging routes to the target are visible from the location.

PMID:36689073 | DOI:10.1007/s10339-022-01122-0

Trop Anim Health Prod. 2023 Jan 23;55(1):44. doi: 10.1007/s11250-022-03447-6.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the spatial distribution of wild ungulates that pastoralist communities perceive as culprits in the transmission of cattle diseases outside protected areas in southwestern Uganda. Diseases are hypothesized as having influence on pastoralists’ choice of cattle breed types. Until now, there have been no studies conducted on spatial patterns of wild animal species association with cattle breeds reared in Lake Mburo Conservation Area (LMCA), and how diseases transmitted therein potentially influence cattle breed herd sizes.

METHODS: Animal population survey was carried out on cattle and wild ungulate species along transect lines laid perpendicular to the northern boundary of Lake Mburo National Park (LMNP). Data on the costs of cattle mortality and disease control were gathered using face-to-face interviews. We used SPSS version 17 for descriptive statistics to summarize unit cost of disease control at herd level, whereas chi-square (χ2) tests of goodness-of-fit were used to analyze observations on frequency of wild animal sightings, whose association with spatial distribution patterns of cattle breeds was examined using Pearson correlation test.

RESULTS: Our results show inverse association of distance away from LMNP with wild animal populations and the cost of cattle disease control. The mean population of exotic cattle significantly increased as that of indigenous cattle decreased with increasing distance from LMNP. In a similar way, the cost of disease control and cattle abortion incidences were much lower in rangelands far away from LMNP (R² = 0.965, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Spatial distribution of wild ungulates was significantly associated with reported cattle mortality, disease, and cost of disease control. Diseases and their costs of control potentially influenced spatial patterns of cattle breeds and breed herd sizes in LMCA, which in turn could affect range resource use for conserving different species of wild animals outside protected area.

PMID:36689063 | DOI:10.1007/s11250-022-03447-6

J Relig Health. 2023 Jan 23. doi: 10.1007/s10943-023-01744-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Ramadan, a one-month period in which eating and drinking are prohibited from sunrise to sunset, is considered sacred by Muslims. According to Islamic rules, fasting is obligatory for adults and healthy people, but patients and travelers are exempted from this rule. It is not clear whether pregnant women can fast during Ramadan. This cross-sectional case-control study included low-risk pregnant women at 32-37 weeks of gestation in Turkey. We examined healthy women in the last period of their pregnancy and found similar perinatal outcomes between the fasting and nonfasting participants. In the evaluation of fetal well-being, a decrease in the number of accelerations in the non-stress test (NST) and the need to repeat the test were found to be statistically significantly higher in fasting pregnant women. We consider that this may prolong the evaluation period and increase unnecessary hospitalizations due to nonreactive NST results. More randomized controlled trials are needed to conclude that fasting during pregnancy is safe.

PMID:36689062 | DOI:10.1007/s10943-023-01744-4

Arch Womens Ment Health. 2023 Jan 23. doi: 10.1007/s00737-023-01293-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Chewing khat during pregnancy adversely affects maternal and fetal health, but available studies are scarce and inconsistent, and it is difficult to conclude the relationship between khat consumption and perinatal outcomes. We aimed to investigate the available studies on the effect of khat use during pregnancy on perinatal and maternal outcomes. For this meta-analysis, we conducted a thorough search of articles published in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science up to the date this search was undertaken (03.01.2022). We used random effect model with the Mantel-Haenszel method to calculate the pooled odds ratio and mean difference. We found that khat use during pregnancy was significantly associated with increased odds of low birth weight (OR:2.51; 95% CI: 1.60 to 3.94), congenital anomalies (OR:3.17; 95% CI: 1.30 to 7.73), premature rupture of membrane (OR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.59 to 2.50), perinatal mortality (OR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.26 to 3.03), and lower APGAR scores at the fifth minute (MD: -1.7; 95% CI: -2.32 to -1.07). Also, increased odds for developing maternal psychological stress and anemia were reported in women using khat during pregnancy. There were no statistically significant differences in stillbirth and preterm birth between women using khat during pregnancy and their counterparts. Since prenatal khat use is associated with adverse perinatal and maternal outcomes, we strongly recommend equitable and easily accessible health services through the implementation of integrated addiction treatment with maternity services to address khat use during pregnancy and encourage the practice of healthy behavior of women.

PMID:36689029 | DOI:10.1007/s00737-023-01293-5

Lasers Med Sci. 2023 Jan 23;38(1):49. doi: 10.1007/s10103-023-03718-0.

ABSTRACT

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is one of the dose-dependent side effects of cisplatin. The loss of sensory neurons is observed in CIPN. There are many methods to minimalize CIPN symptoms such as pharmacological agents and photobiostimulation but the mechanisms of these methods are unclear. Our study is aimed at determining the effects of quercetin and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in undifferentiated and nerve growth factor-differentiated PC12 cells in cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy. PC12 cells with cisplatin were co-treated with quercetin and LLLT (diode pumped all-solid-state laser, 670 nm, output 500 mW, and the laser beam surface area was 1.96 cm²). The effects of quercetin and LLLT on GAP-43 and Synapsin I expressions were analyzed by real-time PCR, cell viability was assessed by MTT assay, Annexin and dead assay measured the induction of apoptosis, the alterations in mitopotential were assessed by mitopotential assay, and lactate dehydrogenase activity in cells was analyzed. All experiment data were analyzed by the Tukey test and applied as a post hoc test, and statistical evaluation was made. Our results indicated that cisplatin increased apoptosis (24,210 ± 2189, 46,504 ± 8246) cells, mitochondrial dysfunction (44,312 ± 0.751, 68,788 ± 1271), and LDH activity (62,821 ± 8245, 87,838 ± 8116). Furthermore, it decreased cell viability (42,447 ± 1780, 36,140 ± 3682) and inhibited GAP-43 and Synapsin I genes in undifferentiated and differentiated PC12 cells. However, apoptosis, the alterations in mitopotential, and lactate dehydrogenase activity decreased by applications of quercetin and LLLT. It has been recommended that quercetin and low-level laser therapy roles on cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy should be investigated in vivo, and the relationship between quercetin and low-level laser therapy should be molecular.

PMID:36689023 | DOI:10.1007/s10103-023-03718-0

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2023 Jan 23. doi: 10.1007/s00405-023-07836-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To explore a minimally invasive trans-canal endoscopic facial nerve decompression for traumatic facial nerve palsy and compare it with microscopic facial nerve decompression.

METHODS: 35 and 38 patients underwent endoscopic and microscopic facial nerve decompression, respectively, for traumatic facial nerve palsy. Onset of symptoms, type of temporal bone fracture, day of surgical intervention following trauma, ossicular chain status and nature of insult to facial nerve were observed. Time period for recovery (House Brackmann grade ≤ 3), long term recovery rates, pre- and post-operative hearing status, surgical time and post-operative pain were compared between groups.

RESULTS: Maximum patients in endoscopic and microscopic groups (77.1% and 76.3%, respectively) had acute onset of symptoms. 57.1% (20/35) had longitudinal, 17.1% (6/35) had transverse and 25.7% (9/35) had mixed fractures in endoscopic group. In the microscopic group, 57.9% (22/38) had longitudinal, 18.4% (7/38) had transverse and 23.7% (9/38) had mixed fractures. The mean (± S.D.) post-operative air-bone gap in endoscopic and microscopic group were 16.47 ± 4.5 dB and 19.4 ± 5.2 dB, respectively, which was statistically significant. The mean (± S.D.) time period for recovery of endoscopic and microscopic groups were 14.4 ± 5 days and 22.5 ± 7 days, respectively (p value < 0.05). The difference in post-operative pain between the two groups was also statistically significant. The difference in long term recovery rates was not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic facial nerve decompression results in early recovery, less post-operative pain and better post-operative air-bone gap closure when compared to conventional microscopic technique.

PMID:36689020 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-023-07836-x

EJNMMI Res. 2023 Jan 23;13(1):5. doi: 10.1186/s13550-023-00953-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To quantify the relationship between [18F]FDG uptake of the primary tumour measured by PET-imaging with immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of ER, PR, HER2, Ki-67, and clinical subtypes based on these markers in breast cancer patients.

METHODS: PubMed and Embase were searched for studies that compared SUV_max between breast cancer patients negative and positive for IHC expression of ER, PR, HER2, Ki-67, and clinical subtypes based on these markers. Two reviewers independently screened the studies and extracted the data. Standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by using DerSimonian-Laird random-effects models. P values less than or equal to 5% indicated statistically significant results.

RESULTS: Fifty studies were included in the final analysis. SUV_max is significantly higher in ER-negative (31 studies, SMD 0.66, 0.56-0.77, P < 0.0001), PR-negative (30 studies, SMD 0.56; 0.40-0.71, P < 0.0001), HER2-positive (32 studies, SMD – 0.29, – 0.49 to – 0.10, P = 0.0043) or Ki-67-positive (19 studies, SMD – 0.77; – 0.93 to – 0.61, P < 0.0001) primary tumours compared to their counterparts. The majority of clinical subtypes were either luminal A (LA), luminal B (LB), HER2-positive or triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). LA is associated with significantly lower SUV_max compared to LB (11 studies, SMD – 0.49, – 0.68 to – 0.31, P = 0.0001), HER2-positive (15 studies, SMD – 0.91, – 1.21 to – 0.61, P < 0.0001) and TNBC (17 studies, SMD – 1.21, – 1.57 to – 0.85, P < 0.0001); and LB showed significantly lower uptake compared to TNBC (10 studies, SMD – 0.77, – 1.05 to – 0.49, P = 0.0002). Differences in SUV_max between LB and HER2-positive (9 studies, SMD – 0.32, – 0.88 to 0.24, P = 0.2244), and HER2-positive and TNBC (17 studies, SMD – 0.29, – 0.61 to 0.02, P = 0.0667) are not significant.

CONCLUSION: Primary tumour SUV_max is significantly higher in ER-negative, PR-negative, HER2-positive and Ki-67-positive breast cancer patients. Luminal tumours have the lowest and TNBC tumours the highest SUV_max. HER2 overexpression has an intermediate effect.

PMID:36689007 | DOI:10.1186/s13550-023-00953-y

Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2023 Jan 23. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.14690. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) long protocol on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes of patients with endometriosis (EMs).

METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was carried out from July 1st 2016 to June 30th 2021. 798 patients with EMs who underwent first IVF were enrolled. The patients were classified by the ovarian stimulation protocols. The clinical outcomes of IVF were compared in each group.

RESULTS: These EMs patients who received the long-acting GnRHa long protocol had significantly higher clinical pregnancy rate (72.00%, 60.70% and 50.90%, respectively; P=0.047 and 0.010) and implantation rate (51.0%, 44.6%, and 38.7%, respectively; P=0.006 and <0.001) compared with short-acting GnRHa long protocol and GnRH antagonist protocol. Live birth rate was also significantly higher than GnRH antagonist protocol (60.10% and 40.0% P=0.032), but not statistically difference compared with short-acting GnRHa (60.10% and 53.80%, P=0.443). In addition, they also had significantly higher duration of stimulation, total dose of gonadotrophin (Gn) and the number of high quality embryo transferred than other groups (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Long-acting GnRHa long protocol could improve IVF outcomes of patients with EMs compared with short-acting GnRHa long protocol and GnRH antagonist protocol.

PMID:36688363 | DOI:10.1002/ijgo.14690

Health Promot Pract. 2023 Jan 23:15248399221151175. doi: 10.1177/15248399221151175. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Our Grassroots Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Initiative works to build the capacity of individuals and organizations in zip codes with persistently high infant mortality rates to bring about systems change that will improve maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes. Foundational to the Initiative is the training and mentoring of local women to become Grassroots MCH Leaders. We greatly honor that these women possess community expertise, essential to the Initiative’s success. Our training equips them with strategies they can use to bring about changes in social, economic, political, and/or cultural systems that underlie poor birth outcomes. One impactful strategy they learn is the use of critical narrative intervention (CNI). This approach, grounded in the crafting and sharing of stories, complements statistical, behavioral, and medical approaches to improve MCH outcomes. This article describes the impact of CNI within the Grassroots MCH Initiative. Drawing from 14 Grassroots MCH Leaders’ narratives, we present five significant maternal traumas and influential supports in their surrounding contexts. We explore the leaders’ reflections on the impact of story development and dissemination. Our findings reveal that situating CNI within the context of a grassroots initiative provides opportunities for leaders to use their stories to advocate for systems change. Personal MCH narratives provide a powerful and respectful approach to public health promotion, as they highlight important systems-level failures that need to be addressed to sustainability improve MCH outcomes.

PMID:36688357 | DOI:10.1177/15248399221151175