Tag: nevin manimala

Cytopathology. 2022 Apr 1. doi: 10.1111/cyt.13123. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The effect of rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) combined with computed tomography-guided transthoracic core needle biopsy (CT-guided TCNB) is rarely investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency and safety of ROSE combined with CT-guided TCNB for suspected lung cancer patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical data from 285 patients who received CT-guided TCNB for suspected lung cancer in Huashan Hospital from 2015 to 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. 163 of these patients underwent CT-guided TCNB combined with ROSE (ROSE group), while the remaining 122 patients underwent without ROSE (non-ROSE group). The smears obtained from TCNB were quickly processed with Diff-Quick staining and analyzed by one skilled cytologist on-site. The consistency of ROSE with the final clinicopathological diagnosis and the diagnostic efficiency and safety of ROSE combined with CT-guided TCNB in suspected lung cancer patients were evaluated.

RESULTS: ROSE was highly concordant with pathological diagnosis (κ = 0.791; p < 0.001), with the accuracy of 95.7%. The diagnostic accuracy was significantly higher in ROSE group compared with that in non-ROSE group (96.3% vs. 86.1%; p = 0.002), with overall incidences of complications of 36.8% and 23.8%, respectively. Minor pneumothorax without drainage was slightly increased in ROSE group compared with non-ROSE group (14.1% vs. 6.6%; p = 0.046). However, there was no significant difference in serious complications between the two groups.

CONCLUSION: ROSE was highly consistent with the final clinicopathological diagnosis for suspected lung cancer. ROSE further improved the diagnostic efficiency of CT-guided TCNB with no increased incidence of serious complications.

PMID:35362154 | DOI:10.1111/cyt.13123

Br J Clin Psychol. 2022 Apr 1. doi: 10.1111/bjc.12366. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study examined whether ‘personality vulnerability’ (i.e., self-critical perfectionism or dependency) predicts the trajectory of change, as well as variability and instability (i.e., entropy) of symptoms, during cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for depression.

DESIGN: Study participants were outpatients (N = 312) experiencing a primary mood disorder. Participants received CBT for depression group sessions over 15 weeks. Self-report measures of self-critical perfectionism, dependency, and depression were collected longitudinally.

METHODS: A latent growth mixture modelling (LGMM) statistical approach was used to evaluate the presence of latent classes of individuals based on their longitudinal pattern of symptom change during CBT and to evaluate whether baseline self-critical perfectionism or dependency predicts class membership. A Latent Acceleration Score (LAS) model evaluated whether perfectionism or dependency led to variability in depression symptom change (e.g., velocity) by considering changes in velocity (e.g., acceleration and/or deceleration).

RESULTS: LGMM indicated the presence of two latent classes that represent symptom improvement (N = 239) or minimal symptom improvement over time (N = 73). Elevated baseline self-critical perfectionism, but not dependency, predicted a greater likelihood of membership in the class of participants who demonstrated minimal symptom improvement over time. The second analysis examined whether baseline self-critical perfectionism also predicts depression symptom variability and instability. The LAS perfectionism model demonstrated that perfectionism accelerates depression symptom change during the first seven sessions of treatment, then has a decelerating effect on depression symptom change.

CONCLUSIONS: Results indicated that higher baseline self-critical perfectionism predicted higher variability and instability in depression symptoms and variability in acceleration and deceleration, over the course of treatment.

PMID:35362112 | DOI:10.1111/bjc.12366

J Trauma Stress. 2022 Mar 31. doi: 10.1002/jts.22819. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Refugees are disproportionately affected by extreme traumatic events that can violate core beliefs and life goals (i.e., global meaning) and cause significant distress. This mixed-methods study used an exploratory sequential design to assess meaning violations in a sample of Syrian refugees living in Portugal. For this purpose, we cross-culturally adapted the Global Meaning Violations Scale (GMVS) for use with Arabic-speaking refugees. In total, 43 war-affected Syrian adults participated in the two-phase study. Participants completed measures of trauma and narrated violations as they filled out the newly adapted GMVS-ArabV. GMVS-ArabV validity evidence based on response processes was investigated through Phase 1 focus groups (FGs; n = 2), whereas data from Phase 2 cognitive interviews (n = 38) were used to preliminarily explore the measure’s internal structure through descriptive statistics as well as culture- and trauma-informed content evidence through thematic analysis. The results suggested highest goal (M = 3.51, SD = 1.46) and lowest belief (M = 2.38, SD = 1.59) violations of educational goals and religious beliefs, respectively. Themes related to stressors, item formulation, response scale, and the global meaning construct suggested that (a) beliefs and goals can be differentially violated by different stressors; (b) much like war trauma, including torture, daily stressors can additionally shatter pretrauma global meaning; and (c) refugees reappraise meaning and suffer violations anew throughout their migration journeys. The GMVS-ArabV offers a promising tool for exploring shattered cognitions in refugees and informs evidence-based approaches to trauma recovery and psychological adjustment in postmigration settings (the Arabic abstract and keywords are available in the Supplementary Materials).

PMID:35362149 | DOI:10.1002/jts.22819

Surg Technol Int. 2022 Mar 31;40:sti40/1556. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Low-intensity shockwave therapy (Li-SWT) is a promising option for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Many devices with different characteristics in terms of generators, shockwaves, set-up parameters and procedure protocols are commercially available. In this report, we present our experience with the main shockwave technologies currently in use in clinical practice for ED treatment.

METHODS: A retrospective national, multi-institutional study was performed to compare the effects of different shockwave technologies in ED patients. All of the subjects underwent 8 consecutive weekly physical treatments with SWT under either a focused or non-focused regimen: 3,000 shocks per session at 0.09 mJ/mm2 and 10,000 shocks per session at 15 Hz and 90 mJ, respectively. Efficacy was evaluated by comparing pre- and post-treatment Sexual Health Inventory in Men (SHIM) scores, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and Erection Hardness Score (EHS). Possible relationships between type of shockwave generator, source, morphology and type of ED were investigated.

RESULTS: A total of 94 men were included in the analysis. There were no significant differences in the baseline clinical characteristics or demographics. The mean (SD) increase in the scores from questionnaires evaluated at 8 weeks was clinically and statistically significant, with overall improvements of +5.49, +5.47 and +1.18 (p<0.0001) in the IIEF-5, SHIM, and EHS scores, respectively. The increases in these scores were evaluated by a multiple regression analysis, in relation to the shockwave generator, type of ED, shockwave source and morphology, but none of the factors examined predicted improvement. No side effects were reported with any device.

CONCLUSIONS: SWT is a clinically effective and safe treatment for ED that is independent of the generator type, source, shockwave morphology emitted, type of ED and perhaps treatment protocol.

PMID:35362088

Crit Care Nurse. 2022 Apr 1;42(2):23-31. doi: 10.4037/ccn2022385.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Intensive care unit early mobility programs improve patients’ functional status and outcomes. An electronic health record-based communication tool improved interprofessional communication within an early mobility program. Long-term sustainability of this communication tool has not been evaluated.

LOCAL PROBLEM: Ineffective interprofessional communication was perceived as a barrier to success of an intensive care unit early mobility program at the project institution. An electronic health record-based communication tool was successfully implemented to improve communication. Sustaining the intervention is of continued importance.

METHODS: Longitudinal data were collected 2 years after initial implementation of the communication tool to evaluate its continued impact on patient outcomes and staff engagement with an intensive care unit early mobility program.

RESULTS: Initial implementation of the electronic health record-based communication tool resulted in statistically and clinically significant improvements in patient and staff metrics. Compared with postimplementation data, 2-year longitudinal follow-up data revealed nonsignificant changes in patient outcomes (time from admission to mobility goal, mechanical ventilation duration, length of intensive care unit stay, and discharge disposition recommendations to higher independence levels). Staff reported continued use of the communication tool and positive perceptions of its impact on the intensive care unit early mobility program.

CONCLUSIONS: Nonsignificant changes in patient outcomes may indicate sustainment of the effect of the communication tool’s original implementation. Employing appropriate sustainment techniques is essential to maintain practice change. The electronic health record-based communication tool can improve interprofessional communication within an intensive care unit early mobility program, improving patient outcomes and staff teamwork.

PMID:35362081 | DOI:10.4037/ccn2022385

Pediatrics. 2022 Apr 1;149(4):e2021052165. doi: 10.1542/peds.2021-052165.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Inappropriate vancomycin use is common in children’s hospitals. We report a quality improvement (QI) intervention to reduce vancomycin use in our tertiary care PICU.

METHODS: We retrospectively quantified the prevalence of infections caused by organisms requiring vancomycin therapy, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), among patients with suspected bacterial infections. Guided by these data, we performed 3 QI interventions over a 3-year period, including (1) stakeholder education, (2) generation of a consensus-based guideline for empiric vancomycin use, and (3) implementation of this guideline through clinical decision support. Vancomycin use in days of therapy (DOT) per 1000 patient days was measured by using statistical process control charts. Balancing measures included frequency of bacteremia due to an organism requiring vancomycin not covered with empiric therapy, 30-day mortality, and cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal organ dysfunction.

RESULTS: Among 1276 episodes of suspected bacterial infection, a total of 19 cases of bacteremia (1.5%) due to organisms requiring vancomycin therapy were identified, including 6 MRSA bacteremias (0.5%). During the 3-year QI project, overall vancomycin DOT per 1000 patient days in the PICU decreased from a baseline mean of 182 DOT per 1000 patient days to 109 DOT per 1000 patient days (a 40% reduction). All balancing measures were unchanged, and all cases of MRSA bacteremia were treated empirically with vancomycin.

CONCLUSION: Our interventions reduced overall vancomycin use in the PICU without evidence of harm. Provider education and consensus building surrounding indications for empiric vancomycin use were key strategies.

PMID:35362066 | DOI:10.1542/peds.2021-052165

Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2022 Mar 31;34(4):584-589. doi: 10.1093/icvts/ivab295.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to evaluate the effect of thymectomy on the progression of thymolipomatous myasthenia gravis.

METHODS: An electronic search performed across PubMed, MEDLINE and Web of Science databases included all article types. We included 15 series comprising 36 cases that met specific criteria, including case reports or case series related to thymolipoma with a myasthenia gravis association, where thymectomy was cited as the primary intervention with postoperative reporting of the prognosis and articles written in the English language.

RESULTS: Our study included 17 men (47.2%) and 19 women (52.8%). Tumour sizes varied between 34 × 18 × 7 cm and 2.8 × 2.3 × 1.9 cm; the weight of the tumours ranged between 38 and 1780 g (mean 190, standard deviation 341). The surgical approaches were a median sternotomy in 29 patients (80.6%), a thoracotomy in 1 patient (2.8%), video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in 2 patients (5.6%) and unreported approaches in 4 (11.1%) patients. The disease was entirely resolved with complete, stable remission in 5 patients (13.9%); symptoms were improved in 19 (52.8%) and stable in 10 patients (27.7%). We identified 2 groups of patients according to their improvement post-thymectomy (improved group and group with no change).

CONCLUSIONS: Although the cases were uncontrolled and did not demonstrate strong associations, they do support some hypotheses. We found a significant statistical difference between the 2 groups in terms of age, because younger patients tended to improve to a greater degree post-thymectomy. Also, we found that female patients with thymoma visible on the imaging scans were significantly associated with post-thymectomy myasthenia gravis improvement.

REGISTRATION NUMBER IN PROSPERO: CRD42020173229.

PMID:35362060 | DOI:10.1093/icvts/ivab295

Pediatrics. 2022 Apr 1;149(4):e2021050197. doi: 10.1542/peds.2021-050197.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Family-centered rounds (FCR) can lead to improved communication, satisfaction, and care delivery. However, FCR are variable in practice. Our primary goal was to implement and sustain consistent communication practices during FCR (a subset of all rounds in which parents were present) for patients on a pediatric hospital medicine service. We aimed to achieve 80% reliability for the following FCR practices: (1) discussion of risk factors and prevention strategies for hospital-acquired conditions (HACs), (2) discussion of discharge planning, and (3) asking families for questions.

METHODS: Research assistants observed FCR on a pediatric acute care unit at an academic medical center and recorded if the rounding team discussed HAC risk factors, discussed discharge, or asked families for questions. Using the Model for Improvement, we performed multiple plan-do-study-act cycles to test and implement interventions, including (1) standardized note templates, (2) education via peer-led group discussions and team e-mails, and (3) routine provider feedback about performance. Data were analyzed by using statistical process control charts.

RESULTS: From October 2017 to April 2019, reliability increased to >80% and sustained for (1) discussion of HAC risk factors (increased from 11% to 89%), (2) discussion of discharge planning (from 60% to 92%), and (3) asking families for questions (from 61% to 87%). Peer-led physician education, reminder e-mails, and physician engagement were the most impactful interventions corresponding to centerline shifts.

CONCLUSIONS: Using multiple interventions, we achieved and sustained improvements in key communication-related elements of FCR. Future work will focus on determining if improved practices impact clinical outcomes.

PMID:35362064 | DOI:10.1542/peds.2021-050197

Cell Death Differ. 2022 Mar 31. doi: 10.1038/s41418-022-00982-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Mutations in genes encoding general transcription factors cause neurological disorders. Despite clinical prominence, the consequences of defects in the basal transcription machinery during brain development are unclear. We found that loss of the TATA-box binding protein-associated factor TAF8, a component of the general transcription factor TFIID, in the developing central nervous system affected the expression of many, but notably not all genes. Taf8 deletion caused apoptosis, unexpectedly restricted to forebrain regions. Nuclear levels of the transcription factor p53 were elevated in the absence of TAF8, as were the mRNAs of the pro-apoptotic p53 target genes Noxa, Puma and Bax. The cell death in Taf8 forebrain regions was completely rescued by additional loss of p53, but Taf8 and p53 brains failed to initiate a neuronal expression program. Taf8 deletion caused aberrant transcription of promoter regions and splicing anomalies. We propose that TAF8 supports the directionality of transcription and co-transcriptional splicing, and that failure of these processes causes p53-induced apoptosis of neuronal cells in the developing mouse embryo.

PMID:35361962 | DOI:10.1038/s41418-022-00982-5

Eye (Lond). 2022 Mar 31. doi: 10.1038/s41433-022-01992-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Retinoblastoma is a common childhood intraocular malignancy, the bilateral form of which most commonly results from a de novo germline pathogenic variant in the RB1 gene. Both advanced maternal age and decreasing birth order are known to increase the risk of de novo germline pathogenic variants, while the influence of national wealth is understudied. This cohort study aimed to retrospectively observe whether these factors influence the ratio of bilateral retinoblastoma cases compared to unilateral retinoblastoma, thereby inferring an influence on the development of de novo germline pathogenic variants in RB1.

SUBJECTS/METHODS: Data from 688 patients from 11 centres in 10 countries were analysed using a series of statistical methods.

RESULTS: No associations were found between advanced maternal age, birth order or GDP per capita and the ratio of bilateral to unilateral retinoblastoma cases (p values = 0.534, 0.201, 0.067, respectively), indicating that these factors do not contribute to the development of a de novo pathogenic variant.

CONCLUSIONS: Despite a lack of a definitive control group and genetic testing, this study demonstrates that advanced maternal age, birth order or GDP per capita do not influence the risk of developing a bilateral retinoblastoma.

PMID:35361938 | DOI:10.1038/s41433-022-01992-w