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Polygenic Score for Clinicopathologic Features and Survival Outcomes in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 Nov 27. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2024.3963. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Genome-wide association studies have identified germline variants associated with the development of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) that can be used to construct a polygenic score (PGS). It is important to determine whether patients with higher germline genetic risk, as summarized using PGS, present with more aggressive disease and/or develop worse clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether germline risk defined by PGS is associated with clinicopathologic features and survival outcomes for patients with PTC.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective cohort study included patients with newly diagnosed PTC who presented to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for treatment between 1999 and 2014, with a median follow-up of 12 years. Data were analyzed from December 2023 to April 2024.

EXPOSURE: Germline risk, as defined by PGS.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Genomic DNA was extracted from buffy coat cells isolated from peripheral blood samples, and genotyping for germline polymorphisms was performed. Germline risk for PTC was estimated with a previously validated PGS calculated from 10 single-nucleotide variations identified through genome-wide association studies. Stage; PTC-specific survival, defined as the time from PTC diagnosis to death caused by PTC; and overall survival, defined as the time from PTC diagnosis to death by any cause, were analyzed.

RESULTS: A total of 366 patients were included in the study (261 women [71.3%]; mean [SD] age at diagnosis, 44.3 [13.8] years). There was a statistically significant association between higher PGS and multifocality (β [SE], 0.40 [0.23]; P = .045) and cervical lymph node involvement (N stage) (β [SE], 0.62 [0.35]; P = .009) at diagnosis. PGS was associated with PTC-specific survival (hazard ratio, 2.66; 95% CI, 1.03-6.85; P = .04), but this association was not independent of age and overall stage. There was not a statistically significant association between PGS and overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Findings of this cohort study suggest that patients with a higher germline risk of PTC, as estimated by PGS, present with more aggressive clinicopathologic features. These results contribute to the current understanding of inherited risk in PTC and how germline variants could potentially contribute to disease presentation and clinical outcomes.

PMID:39602114 | DOI:10.1001/jamaoto.2024.3963

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Changes in Postpartum Opioid Prescribing After Implementation of State Opioid Prescribing Limits

JAMA Health Forum. 2024 Nov 1;5(11):e244216. doi: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2024.4216.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: In response to the growing opioid crisis, states implemented opioid prescribing limits to reduce exposure to opioid analgesics. Research in other clinical contexts has found that these limits are relatively ineffective at changing opioid analgesic prescribing.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of state-level opioid prescribing limits with opioid prescribing within the 30-day postpartum period, as disaggregated by type of delivery (vaginal vs cesarean) and opioid naivete.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective, observational cohort study used commercial claims data from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2021, from 49 US states and a difference-in-differences staggered adoption estimator to examine changes in postpartum opioid prescribing among all deliveries to enrollees between the ages of 18 and 44 years in the US.

EXPOSURES: The implementation of a state opioid prescribing limit between 2017 and 2019.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcomes for this analysis were the number of prescriptions for opioid analgesics, proportion of prescriptions with a supply greater than 7 days, and milligrams of morphine equivalent (MMEs) per delivery between 3 days before and 30 days after delivery.

RESULTS: A total of 1 572 338 deliveries (enrollee mean [SD] age, 30.20 [1.59] years) were identified between 2014 and 2021, with 32.3% coded as cesarean deliveries. A total of 98.4% of these were to opioid-naive patients. The mean MMEs per delivery was 310.79, with higher rates in earlier years, states that had an opioid prescribing limit, and cesarean deliveries. In a covariate-adjusted difference-in-differences regression analysis, opioid prescribing limits were associated with a decrease of 148.70 MMEs per delivery (95% CI, -657.97 to 360.57) compared with states without such limits. However, these changes were not statistically significant. The pattern of results was similar among other opioid-prescribing outcomes and types of deliveries.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The results of this cohort study suggest that opioid prescribing limits are not associated with changes in postpartum opioid prescribing regardless of delivery type or opioid naivete, which is consistent with research findings on these limits in other conditions or settings. Future research could explore what kinds of prevention mechanisms reduce the risk of opioid prescribing during pregnancy and postpartum.

PMID:39602107 | DOI:10.1001/jamahealthforum.2024.4216

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Three-Dimensional Comparative Analysis of Root Parallelism in First Premolar Extraction Cases: Clear Aligner Versus Fixed Orthodontic Appliance

Orthod Craniofac Res. 2024 Nov 27. doi: 10.1111/ocr.12874. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the three-dimensional root parallelism (mesiodistally and buccolingually) between orthodontic therapy with the Invisalign clear aligners (CA) and fixed appliances (FA) among the first premolar-extraction patients, using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty participants with similar American Board of Orthodontics discrepancy index scores as baseline characteristics were included and divided into CA and FA groups (30 per group). Post-treatment mesiodistal and buccolingual root parallelisms were analysed through CBCT using Invivo 6.0.3 software. Descriptive and analytical statistics were performed with a p < 0.05, considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Mesiodistal dental root parallelism in the U1-U2 and L1-L2 pairings between CA and FA groups were found to be significantly different with inferior parallelism in the CA group (p < 0.05). Conversely, the U3-U5 and L5-L6 pairings exhibited superior parallelism in the CA group (p < 0.05). However, other pairings, including U1-U1, U2-U3, U5-U6, U6-U7, L1-L1, L2-L3, L3-L5, and L6-L7, showed no significant differences in mesiodistal parallelism between groups (p > 0.05). Regarding the buccolingual dental root parallelism, significant differences were also noted in the U5-U6 and L5-L6 pairings with superior parallelism in the CA group (p < 0.05). However, in the U1-U1, U2-U3, U3-U5, U6-U7, L1-L1, L2-L3, L3-L5, and L6-L7 pairings, no significant differences in buccolingual parallelism were observed (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: In this study, our findings indicate that in cases involving the extraction of first premolars, Invisalign clear aligners may offer comparable or even superior three-dimensional root parallelism compared to fixed orthodontic appliances, with the exception of the mesiodistal dimension in upper and lower incisors, where their performance is less effective.

PMID:39602097 | DOI:10.1111/ocr.12874

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“I Was Broken and Still Had to Stay Strong. I Cannot Be Weak”: Understanding Parental Role Conflicts Following a Premature Birth

Adv Neonatal Care. 2024 Dec 1;24(6):569-577. doi: 10.1097/ANC.0000000000001204. Epub 2024 Nov 26.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The challenging transition to parenthood affects both mothers and fathers; yet, the strain intensifies with a premature birth in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), underscoring the importance of acknowledging and addressing potential differences in parental roles.

PURPOSE: This paper aimed to investigate how parental role conflicts among mothers and fathers of preterm-born infants hospitalized in German NICUs manifest and investigated potential parental resources.

METHODS: Twenty-four participants, 17 mothers, and seven fathers of very low birth-weight infants were interviewed. A thematic content analysis was performed at a semantic level.

RESULTS: Fathers feel pressured to fulfill the role expectations, often leading to the suppression of paternal feelings and needs. For mothers, deviating from societal expectations regarding their expressive roles can be distressing, as they worry that such deviation might hinder their infants from having a successful start in life. Consulting with healthcare professionals shows to ease challenges for both parental roles.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH: Maternal and paternal challenges are often rooted in expectations placed on their societal roles. Highlighting these challenges can be essential for increasing awareness and effectively addressing them. Tailored nursing practices may have the potential to facilitate individuals’ navigation of uncertainties and fulfillment of caregiving roles.

PMID:39602093 | DOI:10.1097/ANC.0000000000001204

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Our First Steps: A QI Project to Reduce NICU Admissions of Infants With NAS

Adv Neonatal Care. 2024 Dec 1;24(6):517-524. doi: 10.1097/ANC.0000000000001212. Epub 2024 Nov 26.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In 2020, the rate of newborns diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in the United States was 6.3 for every 1000 newborn hospitalizations. Resources used to care for this population, particularly NICU beds, are being overwhelmed. In 2020, the state of Ohio saw a rate of 9.5 newborns with NAS for every 1000 newborn hospitalizations.

PURPOSE: To determine if using the Eat, Sleep, Console (ESC) model of care to guide management of neonates with NAS instead of the Finnegan Scale would reduce the number of admissions of neonates diagnosed with NAS to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

METHODS: The PDSA (Plan, Do, Study, Act) method was used in the planning and implementation of this pilot quality improvement project. Education regarding the ESC model of care was provided to the Mother/Infant Unit (MIU), with ongoing education and resources provided and readily available on the unit.

RESULTS: Fifteen neonates were managed with ESC. Of the 5 who would have been admitted to the NICU for pharmacological treatment if Finnegan Scores were the determining factor for admission, 2 were discharged home from the MIU having been managed with ESC.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH: The use of the ESC model of care can be a useful tool in the management and assessment of neonates with NAS. Resource allocation for care of this population must be assessed to provide optimal non-pharmacological interventions.

PMID:39602091 | DOI:10.1097/ANC.0000000000001212

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Factors influencing white blood cell mobilisation in healthy granulocyte donors

Transfus Med. 2024 Nov 27. doi: 10.1111/tme.13115. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Granulocyte transfusions represent a therapeutic option for severely neutropenic patients with bacterial or fungal infections that are otherwise unresponsive to conventional therapy. Prior clinical studies suggest that patients receiving higher granulocyte doses achieve superior outcomes. Consequently, suboptimal donor stimulation and collection leading to lower granulocyte doses likely correlate with worse clinical outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis was conducted on mobilisation data from 312 granulocyte collections from healthy donors between January 2020 and May 2023. This study was performed in a single blood donor center exclusively supporting a comprehensive cancer center. Donors underwent stimulation with 480 mcg of filgrastim (granulocyte colony stimulating factor [G-CSF]) subcutaneously and 8 mg of dexamethasone orally administered 12 to 14 h before collection. The correlation between donor characteristics (age, gender, body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), baseline haemoglobin (Hgb), and platelet (PLT) counts) and mobilisation efficiency (Δ WBC, defined as post-mobilisation WBC count-baseline WBC count) was examined to identify factors associated with enhanced mobilisation efficiency. Additionally, the impact of multiple donations on Δ WBC in repeat donors was assessed.

RESULTS: The median donor age was 43 years (range 18-81), with 224 male and 88 female donors. Female donors exhibited significantly higher baseline PLT counts and post-mobilisation WBC counts. However, donor gender did not significantly affect Δ WBC. A negative correlation was observed between Δ WBC and age (r = -0.235, p = 0.001), with older donors (61-81 years) exhibiting significantly lower mobilisation efficiency. BW and BMI differences had no significant effect on Δ WBC. A positive correlation was identified between baseline PLT count and Δ WBC (r = 0.140, p = 0.014), with females having significantly higher baseline PLT counts (p = 0.0004). No correlation was found between Δ WBC and baseline Hgb (r = 0.004, p = 0.477). Repeat donors showed no statistically significant change in Δ WBC with subsequent donations, with a mean interval of 136.5 days between collections.

CONCLUSION: Mobilisation efficiency was not impacted by donor BW or BMI suggesting that BW-based G-CSF stimulation is not essential for optimising WBC mobilisation. Rather, a fixed single dose of 480 mcg of G-CSF and 8 mg of dexamethasone was sufficient to mobilise donors, thus reducing the procedural costs and the potential risks for medication-related side effects. The positive correlation found between baseline PLT count and Δ WBC suggests that PLT count could be used as a potential predictor of mobilisation efficiency. Mobilisation response in up to four collections in repeat granulocytes donors was not affected in subsequent donations. However, sample size is a limitation, and more data is needed for a meaningful conclusion of whether frequent granulocyte donations are safe and effective.

PMID:39601217 | DOI:10.1111/tme.13115

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Direct and Gradual Electrical Testicular Shocks Stimulate Spermatogenesis and Activate Sperms in Infertile Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Am J Mens Health. 2024 Nov-Dec;18(6):15579883241296881. doi: 10.1177/15579883241296881.

ABSTRACT

Infertility was reported in approximately 15% of all heterozygous couples, with the male factor accounting for nearly half of the cases. This typically occurs due to low sperm production, sperm dysfunction, and sperm delivery obstruction. In this randomized controlled single-blind clinical trial, 90 infertile male subjects diagnosed with oligospermia, hypospermia, asthenozoospermia, or necrozoospermia were recruited. Semen samples were obtained with the masturbation method and an assessment of semen volume, sperm count, and motility was performed. Five milliamps of electrical shock was delivered to the participants through the fertility improvement device. Semen analysis was collected 4 months post-intervention from all subjects. Data were collected and an analysis of pre- and post-intervention results was performed. There was an improvement in the count, volume, and motility of the patient’s sperm after electrical shock treatment compared with the control group. By using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, there were statistically significant differences between the first and the second seminal analysis results (<.05). All other results were found to be independently correlated. This study demonstrated that using a painless, convenient at-home device, which is designed to contain all the testis tissue as a cup and then extend to include the scrotal roots reaching the penile root to include the epididymis, could significantly improve sperm motility and count. This device can be utilized to tackle the significant issue of infertility in a cost-effective, safe, and efficacious manner. An ultrasound was done before and after using the device as well as years after with no changes noted.Clinical Trial’s Registration Number: NCT04173052.

PMID:39601214 | DOI:10.1177/15579883241296881

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Analysis of risk factors for bladder neck contracture after transurethral endoscopic surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia

Aging Male. 2024 Dec;27(1):2429456. doi: 10.1080/13685538.2024.2429456. Epub 2024 Nov 27.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors of bladder neck contracture (BNC) after transurethral endoscopic surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and to provide a reference basis for the clinic.

METHODS: Clinical data of patients who underwent transurethral endoscopic surgery in our hospital from December 2019 to May 2023 were retrospectively collected. The incidence and risk factors of BNC after transurethral endoscopic surgery were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 420 cases were included in this study, of which 246 were treated with bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (bTURP) and 174 with green light laser vaporization of the prostate (GL-PVP), and there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of BNC when comparing these two types of operations. A total of 18 patients developed BNC after surgery, and the overall incidence of BNC was 4.29%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that smaller preoperative prostate volume (p = 0.042), smoking history (p = 0.009), positive preoperative urine culture (p = 0.001), and prolonged postoperative catheterization days (p = 0.003) were independent risk factors of BNC.

CONCLUSION: Smaller preoperative prostate volume, smoking history, positive preoperative urine culture, and prolonged postoperative indwelling catheterisation were independent risk factors for BNC.

PMID:39601210 | DOI:10.1080/13685538.2024.2429456

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Risk Factors Associated With Facial Acne Scarring in Thai Patients With Acne: A Cross-Sectional Study

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2024 Nov 27:e16695. doi: 10.1111/jocd.16695. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: One of the worst long-term effects of acne is scarring, which leads to significant physical, psychological, and economic burdens. Limited studies have specifically studied the risk factors for acne scarring. This study aims to explore risk factors associated with facial acne scarring in Thai patients with acne.

METHODS: Exploratory cross-sectional risk factor research was conducted using an online questionnaire on Thai patients aged ≥ 18 years who were diagnosed with acne between September and December 2023. The primary objective was to identify significant determinants of acne scars in patients with acne, including sociodemographic factors, clinical factors of acne, lifestyle factors, dietary habits factors, and treatment factors. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify significant risk determinants.

RESULTS: Of 225 patients with 61.33% prevalence of acne scarring, acne scarring was found to be independently associated with the following variables: moderate acne (mOR 3.51, 95% CI 1.31-9.40, p = 0.012) or severe-to-very severe acne (mOR 8.98, 95% CI 2.71-29.73, p < 0.001), sometimes squeezing and picking behaviors (mOR 2.69, 95% CI 2.71-29.73, p = 0.033), and postacne erythema (PAE) (mOR 4.46, 95% CI 1.96-10.14, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: The risk factors associated with acne scarring in individuals include the severity of acne, squeezing and picking behaviors, and experiencing PAE. One of this study’s essential findings confirms that PAE is a notable component that could contribute to the development of acne scars. Early treatment of individuals at risk is crucial to reduce scar formation.

PMID:39601200 | DOI:10.1111/jocd.16695

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Beck Depression Inventory-II Response Following Parathyroidectomy for Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses

Head Neck. 2024 Nov 27. doi: 10.1002/hed.28003. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There is currently a lack of consensus regarding neuropsychiatric symptoms as an indication for parathyroidectomy in primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). The purpose of this study is to perform a systematic review and meta-analyses of pre- and postoperative Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) scores in patients with pHPT undergoing parathyroidectomy.

METHODS: A search of the literature was performed using Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and OvidAll EBM Reviews. Studies were included if they evaluated BDI-II scores in pHPT patients before and after parathyroidectomy.

RESULTS: The literature search returned 1554 studies, of which nine articles met criteria for inclusion. Baseline BDI-II scores were significantly higher in pHPT patients compared to control patients. pHPT patients experienced a statistically significant decrease in BDI-II scores at ≤ 1 and 6 months postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, a BDI-II score ≥ 14 could potentially advocate for parathyroidectomy in patients with pHPT.

PMID:39601197 | DOI:10.1002/hed.28003