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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Elective Pelvic Lymph Node Radiation Therapy and the Risk of Death in Patients With Unfavorable-Risk Prostate Cancer: A Postrandomization Analysis

J Clin Oncol. 2024 May 1:JCO2302394. doi: 10.1200/JCO.23.02394. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Although a contemporary randomized clinical trial has led to the use of whole-pelvic radiation therapy (WPRT), long-term data evaluating a potential reduction in mortality are lacking and are addressed in the current study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2005 to 2015, 350 men with localized, unfavorable-risk prostate cancer (PC) were randomly assigned to receive androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and RT plus docetaxel versus ADT and RT. Treatment of the pelvic lymph nodes was at the discretion of the treating physician. Multivariable Cox and Fine and Grays regression analyses were performed to assess whether a significant association existed between radiation treatment volume and all-cause mortality (ACM) and PC-specific mortality (PCSM), respectively, adjusting for known PC prognostic factors and comorbidity. An interaction term between age (categorized by dichotomization at 65 years to enable clinical interpretation and applicability of the results and which approximates the median (66 years [IQR, 61-70]) and radiation treatment volume was included in the analysis.

RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 10.20 years (IQR, 7.96-11.41), 89 men died (25.43%); of these, 42 died of PC (47.19%). Of the 350 randomly assigned patients, 88 (25.14%) received WPRT. In men younger than 65 years, WPRT was associated with a significantly lower ACM risk (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 0.33 [95% CI, 0.11 to 0.97]; P = .04) and lower PCSM risk (AHR, 0.17 [95% CI, 0.02 to 1.35]; P = .09) after adjusting for covariates, whereas this was not the case for men 65 years or older.

CONCLUSION: WPRT has the potential to reduce mortality in younger men with unfavorable-risk PC.

PMID:38691823 | DOI:10.1200/JCO.23.02394

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Development and Standardization of an Osteoradionecrosis Classification System in Head and Neck Cancer: Implementation of a Risk-Based Model

J Clin Oncol. 2024 May 1:JCO2301951. doi: 10.1200/JCO.23.01951. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Osteoradionecrosis of the jaw (ORN) can manifest in varying severity. The aim of this study is to identify ORN risk factors and develop a novel classification to depict the severity of ORN.

METHODS: Consecutive patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) treated with curative-intent intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) (≥45 Gy) from 2011 to 2017 were included. Occurrence of ORN was identified from in-house prospective dental and clinical databases and charts. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify risk factors and stratify patients into high-risk and low-risk groups. A novel ORN classification system was developed to depict ORN severity by modifying existing systems and incorporating expert opinion. The performance of the novel system was compared with 15 existing systems for their ability to identify and predict serious ORN event (jaw fracture or requiring jaw resection).

RESULTS: ORN was identified in 219 of 2,732 (8%) consecutive patients with HNC. Factors associated with high risk of ORN were oral cavity or oropharyngeal primaries, received IMRT dose ≥60 Gy, current/ex-smokers, and/or stage III to IV periodontal condition. The ORN rate for high-risk versus low-risk patients was 12.7% versus 3.1% (P < .001) with an AUC of 0.71. Existing ORN systems overclassified serious ORN events and failed to recognize maxillary ORN. A novel ORN classification system, ClinRad, was proposed on the basis of vertical extent of bone necrosis and presence/absence of exposed bone/fistula. This system detected serious ORN events in 5.7% of patients and statistically outperformed existing systems.

CONCLUSION: We identified risk factors for ORN and proposed a novel ORN classification system on the basis of vertical extent of bone necrosis and presence/absence of exposed bone/fistula. It outperformed existing systems in depicting the seriousness of ORN and may facilitate clinical care and clinical trials.

PMID:38691822 | DOI:10.1200/JCO.23.01951

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Professional self-determination of future dentists in the modern realities of Ukraine

Wiad Lek. 2024;77(3):557-565. doi: 10.36740/WLek202403126.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To research how the future dentists’ professional self-determination (reflects the cognitive-reflexive component of higher medical education applicants’ readiness to use digital technologies in their professional activities) develops within the formation of information technology competence in the modern realities of Ukraine.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The author’s questionnaire consisted of 15 questions. The questionnaire surveys covered 98 future dentists who studied ‘Medical Informatics’ and ‘Information Technology in Dentistry’ at the Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University in the September-December 2017-2018 and September- December 2022-2023 academic years. The research results were assessed according to the algorithm described. The research used such methods as analysis, synthesis, comparison, concretisation, systematisation, and generalisation, as well as methods of mathematical statistics for evaluating data, namely correlation analysis, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Cronbach’s alpha, Fisher’s test (F-test of equality of variances), Student’s t-test and ranking.

RESULTS: Results: The research found positive dynamics of the professional self-determination levels (in 2022 compared to 2017, the low level decreased by 20.5%, the satisfactory level – by 19.0%, the average level increased by 20.6%, the high level – by 18.9%) and their quality, which within the research increased by 39.5%.

CONCLUSION: Conclusions: By forming information technology competence, future dentists changing the priorities of professional self-determination in the modern realities of Ukraine and acquiring readiness (within the cognitive-reflexive component) to use digital technologies in professional activities.

PMID:38691800 | DOI:10.36740/WLek202403126

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Evaluation of functional interaction masseter and sternocleidomastoid muscles affected by TMJ dysfunction

Wiad Lek. 2024;77(3):539-542. doi: 10.36740/WLek202403123.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To evaluate the functional connection and the bioelectrical state of the m.masseter and m. sternocleidomastoid using functional tests before and after treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 21 individuals with temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Examinations were carried out before and after treatment using repositioning splint therapy and in seated/standing positions.

RESULTS: Results: M. masseter – p=0.072 before treatment and p=0.821 after treatment. Symmetry is also maintained after treatment. After treatment, a significant difference is noted at the level of significance p<0.001 for the right chewing muscle. In seated and standing positions before treatment did not reveal a statistically significant difference (p=0.07, p=0.143) and after (p=0.272, p=0.623).M. sternocleidomastoid- p<0.001 when comparing right and left sides. After treatment, there was no difference between the right and left sides (p=0.169). No statistical difference was found when assessing indicators separately for the right and left muscles in seated and standing positions (p=0.304, p=0.611, p=0.089, p=0.869). When comparing the bioelectric potentials of the right muscle before, after treatment, a statistically significant difference was found p=0.001.

CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Biostatistical analysis of the indicators of bioelectrical activity of m. masseter and sternocleidomastoid indicates no changes in muscle microvolt indicators with changes in body position in patients. However, repositioning splint therapy is associated with reduced muscle tone in initially more spasmodic muscles. It is worth noting that the symmetry of interaction between muscles improves.

PMID:38691797 | DOI:10.36740/WLek202403123

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Results of the study of the attitude of women of reproductive age to the integrated gynecological care provision by family physicians

Wiad Lek. 2024;77(3):506-513. doi: 10.36740/WLek202403120.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To study and analyze the attitude of women of reproductive age to the integrated gynecological care provision by family physicians, their readiness to receive some gynecological services from family physicians, as well as to analyze the level of women’s support and readiness for the integrated provision of gynecological care depending on age and level of education.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: For the survey, anonymous questionnaires containing questions on the attitude of women of reproductive age to the integrated provision of certain types of gynecological care by family physicians were developed. 181 women from the Kyiv region took part in the survey.

RESULTS: Results: Support of more than 80% of respondents regarding the integrated gynecological care provision by family physicians received the following questions: counseling on the prevention of sexually transmitted infections and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) (92,3%); counseling on family planning and prevention of unwanted pregnancy (83,4%); counseling on the use of various methods of contraception (82,3%); examination and palpation of mammary glands (80,1%); referral of women to a higher level of obstetric and gynecological care (if necessary (86,2%).

CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The majority of respondents (67,4%) are ready or better ready than not ready to receive certain types of gynecological care services from family physicians. Almost the same percentage ratio (more than 60%) of women of each age group and all levels of education are ready or better ready than not ready to receive gynecological care services, which they supported, from family physicians.

PMID:38691793 | DOI:10.36740/WLek202403120

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Dynamic comparison the lower extremities length in students education in higher institutions

Wiad Lek. 2024;77(3):456-461. doi: 10.36740/WLek202403113.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Aim: Dynamic comparison of the lower limbs length, depending on the type of sport, followed by the construction of a mathematical model for predicting sports abilities.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The comparison of the lower limbs length in dynamics was carried out on 132 students of higher education institutions of Bukovyna. While the primary study was carried out during September-October 2021, next study of these same students was conducted in September-October 2022. The main group consists of 92 (69.7%) students, the control group – 40 (30.30%) students aged 16 to 18 years. All students underwent an anthropometric study (determination of the length of the lower limbs) according to the method of P.P. Shaparenka. The comparesment of anthropometric parameters in the main group depending on the type of sport used the Kruskel-Wallis test (non-parametric analysis of variance) in order to identify a reliable difference in the average indicators of the respondents depending on the type of sport (the median of the distribution was considered as a measure of central tendency). In order to establish which pairs of age groups had a statistical difference in the medians, the Conover-Iman test was used. A paired t-test (t-test of paired samples) was performed to compare the length of the respondents’ lower limbs during the first measurement and again one year later. Statistical analysis of the obtained data was performed using the licensed RStudio program.

RESULTS: Results: The distribution of the length of the right lower limb of the respondents of the main group by measurement shows that the average value of the length of the right lower limb has changed: a significant difference in the length of the right lower limb was found between the first (M = 88.812, SD = 5.287) and the second (M = 89.377, SD = 5.347) measurements; t (68) = -5.223, p < 0.001. The distribution of the length of the left lower limb shows that the average value of the length of the left lower limb has changed also: a significant difference in the length of the left lower limb was found between the first (M = 88.667, SD = 5.266) and the second (M = 89.435, SD = 5.309) measurements; t (68) = -8.289, p < 0.001.

CONCLUSION: Conclusions: In order to dynamically compare the length of the lower limbs for comprehensive control and selection of promising students in football, volleyball, handball and basketball, a mathematical model was derived for predicting the length of the lower limbs, in corresponding sports: right lower limb y = 0.506 x and left y = 0.507x, where y – is the length of the left lower limb, x – is the height. The coefficient of determination is 99.8%. A significant predictor for the length of both lower limbs is the height.

PMID:38691787 | DOI:10.36740/WLek202403113

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Assessment of antimicrobial drugs employed at government-operated hospitals in central and northern provinces of Iraq

Wiad Lek. 2024;77(3):437-444. doi: 10.36740/WLek202403110.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To document the clinical patterns of antibiotic prescriptions in government hospitals, where the majority of physicians possess a degree-based training.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: A Retrospective cross section study carried out between 1/7/2022 and April 2023 that enrolling 300 patients from governmental hospitals from different provinces of Central and northern Iraq. The research form contained 15 fields divided into three sections. The first section contains social information such as age, gender, field of work, Residence and education. The second part consists of diagnosis and lab. Finding. The third part related to antibiotic uses: Number of AB prescribed, duration of using, type of use, route of administration, AB interaction, dose administration of AB, indication of Ab, and Class of AB.

RESULTS: Results: A total of 300 eligible patients, 165 patients (55.0%) were male and 135 (45.0%) were female, patients were <20 years ages were 117 (39.0%), 25 (8.3%) from the 20-29 years age group, 40-49 years ages were 28 (9.3%) and >50 years ages were 105 (35.0%) were which belong to the pediatric population. The 198 patients (66.0%) were used cephalosporins and 106 (53.5%) of them used alone. A 13-19% percentage of patients had used penicillin, carbapenem, anti-fungal, and aminoglycoside in combination form.

CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The implementation of clinical guidelines, the provision of direct instruction, and the regular dissemination of antibiogram data have the potential to encourage a more judicious consumption of antibiotics.

PMID:38691784 | DOI:10.36740/WLek202403110

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Effectiveness of bruxism treatment in young adults

Wiad Lek. 2024;77(3):417-423. doi: 10.36740/WLek202403107.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Aim: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the developed algorithm for treatment and prevention measures aimed at eliminating clinical manifestations of bruxism in young people.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: A cohort of 377 individuals aged 25 to 44 years underwent examination. Based on identified etiological factors, three distinct groups were delineated. Treatment and preventive strategies were then implemented and evaluated. Tailored treatment algorithms were devised for each group: Group one received selective grinding of supracontacts (up to 0.5-0.75 mm) and treatment for orthodontic issues utilizing removable and fixed orthodontic structures. Group two underwent finger self-massage of masticatory muscles, fabrication of biting dental splints, and anti-inflammatory drug therapy. Group three received sedative drug therapy in conjunction with psychiatric consultation, based on indications. Treatment efficacy was assessed 12 months post-initiation. Statistical analyses were conducted using Statistica 10.0 (StatSoft, Inc., USA) and Microsoft Office Excel 2010.

RESULTS: Results: In cases where orthodontic pathology and supracontacts predominated (r=0.99, p<0.05), employing selective grinding and orthodontic treatment according to specific indications yielded significant efficacy. This approach resulted in a notable reduction in bruxism severity, corroborated by occludogram results 12 months post-treatment initiation. Notably, 90.0% of occludogram indicators fell within the 90-100% range, accompanied by a decrease in the BruxChecker abrasion facets area (p<0.05). Further, there was a substantial enhancement in occlusal contacts (Ck=0.68, Ck =0.71, Ck =0.93). In instances where TMJ pathology predominated with high reliability (r=0.98, p<0.05), effective normalization of masticatory muscle tone and alleviation of temporomandibular joint issues were observed. After 12 months, palpation revealed minimal tenderness in specific muscle areas and normalization of electromyography readings from initial indicators (p<0.05). Moreover, when the psycho-emotional factor primarily contributed to bruxism etiology (r=0.97, p<0.05), medical intervention proved effective. This approach led to bruxism disappearance and normalization of the psycho-emotional state within 12 months (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The conducted studies provide high-confidence evidence of the effectiveness of bruxism treatment when diagnosing the prevailing etiological factor and targeting its specific impact, leading to the normalization of all other factors, a reduction in bruxism intensity, and its complete disappearance.

PMID:38691781 | DOI:10.36740/WLek202403107

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Spiral scanning improves subject fixation in widefield retinal imaging

Opt Lett. 2024 May 1;49(9):2489-2492. doi: 10.1364/OL.517088.

ABSTRACT

Point scanning retinal imaging modalities, including confocal scanning light ophthalmoscopy (cSLO) and optical coherence tomography, suffer from fixational motion artifacts. Fixation targets, though effective at reducing eye motion, are infeasible in some applications (e.g., handheld devices) due to their bulk and complexity. Here, we report on a cSLO device that scans the retina in a spiral pattern under pseudo-visible illumination, thus collecting image data while simultaneously projecting, into the subject’s vision, the image of a bullseye, which acts as a virtual fixation target. An imaging study of 14 young adult volunteers was conducted to compare the fixational performance of this technique to that of raster scanning, with and without a discrete inline fixation target. Image registration was used to quantify subject eye motion; a strip-wise registration method was used for raster scans, and a novel, to the best of our knowledge, ring-based method was used for spiral scans. Results indicate a statistically significant reduction in eye motion by the use of spiral scanning as compared to raster scanning without a fixation target.

PMID:38691751 | DOI:10.1364/OL.517088

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Influence of static and dynamic ocular aberrations on full-field optical coherence tomography for in vivo high-resolution retinal imaging

Opt Lett. 2024 May 1;49(9):2209-2212. doi: 10.1364/OL.515749.

ABSTRACT

Under spatially incoherent illumination, time-domain full-field optical coherence tomography (FFOCT) offers the possibility to achieve in vivo retinal imaging at cellular resolution over a wide field of view. Such performance is possible, albeit there is the presence of ocular aberrations even without the use of classical adaptive optics. While the effect of aberrations in FFOCT has been debated these past years, mostly on low-order and static aberrations, we present, for the first time to our knowledge, a method enabling a quantitative study of the effect of statistically representative static and dynamic ocular aberrations on FFOCT image metrics, such as SNR, resolution, and image similarity. While we show that ocular aberrations can decrease FFOCT SNR and resolution by up to 14 dB and fivefold, we take advantage of such quantification to discuss different possible compromises between performance gain and adaptive optics complexity and speed, to optimize both sensor-based and sensorless FFOCT high-resolution retinal imaging.

PMID:38691681 | DOI:10.1364/OL.515749