Tag: pubmed

Turk J Phys Med Rehabil. 2022 Nov 24;69(2):207-215. doi: 10.5606/tftrd.2023.11054. eCollection 2023 Jun.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to clarify the impact of a Pilates-based therapeutic exercise on disability, pain, mood, and sleep quality in patients with pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain (LPP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the single-blinded randomized controlled study conducted between January 2018 and June 2018, 34 pregnant women (mean age: 29.7±6.2 years; range, 18 to 40 years) in the second trimester (week 14-24) with LPP were randomly assigned to a control group and a Pilates group. All patients underwent usual prenatal care. In addition, the selected Pilates exercise was carried out twice a week for 60-min per session for 12 weeks in the Pilates group. The control group was not prescribed an exercise regimen; however, they were not discouraged from exercising. The primary outcome was disability; secondary outcomes were LPP, mood, and sleep quality. Disability [Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ)], LPP [Visual Analog Scale (VAS)], mood [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Anxiety (HADS-A) and Depression (HADS-D) subscales], and sleep quality [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)] were measured before and after 12 weeks. Adverse effects and adherence were recorded to determine exercise safety and compliance. The intention-to-treat analysis was applied.

RESULTS: The between-group effect sizes were moderate for the RMDQ and VAS scales (d=0.4 and d=0.7, respectively) and small for the HADS-A and HADS-D scales (both d=0.2). The intention-to-treat analysis demonstrated that there was a statistically significant difference in disability, pain, and mood in favor of the Pilates group (p0.05).

CONCLUSION: Adding Pilates to usual prenatal care should be considered a promising treatment option for pregnancy-related LPP.

PMID:37671372 | PMC:PMC10475913 | DOI:10.5606/tftrd.2023.11054

RSC Adv. 2023 Sep 4;13(38):26357-26365. doi: 10.1039/d3ra03200k. eCollection 2023 Sep 4.

ABSTRACT

The solid-state reaction method was utilised to create a down-conversion phosphor in an air environment in CaY₂O₄:Eu³⁺ nanocrystalline material. The calcination temperature was set at 1000 °C, and the sintering temperature was set at 1300 °C. Following annealing, confirmation of the crystallinity quality of the phosphor was accomplished by the use of X-ray diffraction analysis. The particle size was predicted to be 43.113 nm using Scherrer’s formula. To produce down-conversion luminescence spectra, an excitation wavelength of 247 nm was applied with a fluorescence spectrophotometer. The PL got increasingly intense as the concentration of the dopant increased. The maximum intensity was measured at 2.0 mol% of Eu³⁺ ion, which gradually decreased as the concentration increased because of concentration quenching. To analyse spectrophotometric peak determinations, the approach developed by the Commission Internationale de l’Éclairage (CIE) was used. Thermoluminescence (TL) glow curve analysis of the CaY₂O₄:Eu³⁺-doped phosphor manufactured here revealed a wide TL centred at 225 °C, which comprised of so many peaks that may be extracted by the computerised glow curve deconvolution (CGCD) approach using glow-fit software. The associated kinetic parameters were then determined. The prepared phosphor may be useful for application in various display devices upon excitation by 247 nm; the prominent 613 nm peak of the Eu³⁺ ion (⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂) electric dipole transition features a red component. CaY₂O₄:Eu³⁺ phosphors show promise as materials for potential use in phosphor-converted white LEDs in the field of solid-state lighting technology. The linear connection that the TL glow curve has with UV dose provides evidence for its possible use in dosimetry.

PMID:37671341 | PMC:PMC10476512 | DOI:10.1039/d3ra03200k

Internet Interv. 2023 Aug 25;34:100662. doi: 10.1016/j.invent.2023.100662. eCollection 2023 Dec.

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic influence mental health in both infected and non-infected populations. In this study we examined if individually tailored internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) could be an effective treatment for psychological symptoms related to the pandemic. Following recruitment we included 76 participants who were randomized to either a treatment group (n = 37) or a waitlist control group (n = 39). The treatment group received 8 modules (out of 16 possible) during 8 weeks with weekly therapist support. We collected data on symptoms of depression, experienced quality of life, anxiety, stress, anger, insomnia, PTSD, and alcohol use before, after the treatment and at one year follow-up. Using multiple regression analysis, group condition was found to be a statistically significant predictor for a decrease, favoring the treatment group, in symptoms of depression, insomnia, and anger with small to moderate effect sizes. The improvements remained at one year follow-up. Group condition did not significantly predict changing symptoms regarding experienced quality of life, anxiety, stress, PTSD and alcohol use. Findings indicate that ICBT is an effective intervention for some psychological symptoms associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a need for further studies on mechanisms of change and on tailored ICBT for problems associated with crises like the pandemic.

PMID:37671335 | PMC:PMC10475474 | DOI:10.1016/j.invent.2023.100662

Cancer Diagn Progn. 2023 Sep 3;3(5):538-542. doi: 10.21873/cdp.10252. eCollection 2023 Sep-Oct.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIM: We performed a multicenter retrospective observational study to investigate the impact of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) on the survival of patients with bone metastases (BMs) from renal cell cancer (RCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 98 patients with metastatic RCC (mRCC) treated with ICIs were retrospectively enrolled. All patients received standard treatments with nivolumab alone or in combination with ipilimumab from December 2015 to March 2022. The primary endpoint was median overall survival (OS).

RESULTS: Forty-three patients (44%) had radiological evidence of BMs. No statistically significant difference in OS was reported between the BM population and the entire population (p=0.254).

CONCLUSION: Our study suggests some degree of ICI activity to treat patients with BMs from RCC, historically associated with a poorer prognosis.

PMID:37671314 | PMC:PMC10475921 | DOI:10.21873/cdp.10252

Cancer Diagn Progn. 2023 Sep 3;3(5):582-589. doi: 10.21873/cdp.10258. eCollection 2023 Sep-Oct.

ABSTRACT

AIM: This study evaluated the relationship between the relative dose intensity (RDI) and the prognosis to assess the optimal duration of adjuvant chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 2013 to 2018, 119 patients with pancreatic cancer underwent radical surgery. After excluding five patients who underwent R2 resection, three with stage IV disease, and two with adjuvant chemotherapy other than S-1, 109 cases were evaluated. They were classified into four groups based on the RDI for the total dosage of S-1: group 1: <50%, group 2: 50% to <80%, group 3: 80% to ≤125%, and group 4: >125%.

RESULTS: The number of patients in each group were 48, 20, 30 and 11, with median ages of 74, 73, 66 and 74, respectively. Median estimated glomerular filtration rate was 75, 72, 89 and 77 ml/min/1.73 m², respectively, demonstrating statistically significant differences. The corresponding median and 5-year overall survival rates were: 378 days and 17.9%; 1,011 days and 35.1%; 1,246 days and 41.6%; 1,389 days and 10.6%. Using group 1 as a reference, the adjusted hazard ratio was 0.39 for group 2, 0.36 for group 3, and 0.30 for group 4; all were statistically significant.

CONCLUSION: The higher the RDI of S-1 in adjuvant chemotherapy, the better the overall survival. Therefore, 1 year of adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 in pancreatic cancer may be preferable to 6 months.

PMID:37671302 | PMC:PMC10475917 | DOI:10.21873/cdp.10258

J Neurol Surg B Skull Base. 2023 Jan 16;84(5):521-529. doi: 10.1055/a-1993-7468. eCollection 2023 Oct.

ABSTRACT

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the morphometric features of the stylomastoid foramen (SMF) and the facial canal in the Turkish population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) retrospectively. Methods The randomly selected 479 patients aged from 8 to 87 years were examined, and a total of 958 CBCT images of the SMF and facial canal (FC) were analyzed. The diameter of the SMF and FC at the mastoid segment and their relation to age, gender, and side were evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov, one-way analysis of variance, Student’s t -test, chi-squared test, Tukey’s honestly significant difference, and Fisher-Freeman-Halton exact test. p -Values < 0.05 were accepted as statistically significant at the 95% confidence interval. Results The mean age of the patients was 40.49 ± 19.73 years. The mean diameter of the right SMF was 2.24 ± 0.58 and 2.50 ± 0.63 mm in females and males. The mean diameter of the left SMF was 2.25 ± 0.56 and 2.44 ± 0.62 mm in females and males. The mean diameter of the right FC was 1.60 ± 0.35 and 1.70 ± 0.34 mm in females and males. The mean diameter of left FC was 1.55 ± 0.35 and 1.66 ± 0.33 mm in females and males. A statistically significant difference was found between the age groups in terms of the mean SMF and FC diameter on both sides ( p < 0.05). Conclusion Information obtained from this study regarding the morphometric features of the SMF and thereby FC may assist surgeons in treatment plans and reduce the risk of neurosurgical complications.

PMID:37671299 | PMC:PMC10477010 | DOI:10.1055/a-1993-7468

J Neurol Surg B Skull Base. 2022 Sep 13;84(5):463-469. doi: 10.1055/a-1885-1111. eCollection 2023 Oct.

ABSTRACT

Objectives Informed consent is fundamental to good practice. We hypothesized that a personalized three-dimensional (3D)-printed model of skull base pathology would enhance informed consent and reduce patient anxiety. Design Digital images and communication in medicine (DICOM) files were 3D printed. After a standard pre-surgery consent clinic, patients completed part one of a two-part structured questionnaire. They then interacted with their personalized 3D printed model and completed part two. This explored their perceived involvement in decision-making, anxiety, concerns and also their understanding of lesion location and surgical risks. Descriptive statistics were used to report responses and text classification tools were used to analyze free text responses. Setting and Participants In total,14 patients undergoing elective skull base surgery (with pathologies including skull base meningioma, craniopharyngioma, pituitary adenoma, Rathke cleft cyst, and olfactory neuroblastoma) were prospectively identified at a single unit. Results After 3D model exposure, there was a net trend toward reduced patient-reported anxiety and enhanced patient-perceived involvement in treatment. Thirteen of 14 patients (93%) felt better about their operation and 13/14 patients (93%) thought all patients should have access to personalized 3D models. After exposure, there was a net trend toward improved patient-reported understanding of surgical risks, lesion location, and extent of feeling informed. Thirteen of 14 patients (93%) felt the model helped them understand the surgical anatomy better. Analysis of free text responses to the model found mixed sentiment: 47% positive, 35% neutral, and 18% negative. Conclusion In the context of skull base neurosurgery, personalized 3D-printed models of skull base pathology can inform the surgical consent process, impacting the levels of patient understanding and anxiety.

PMID:37671293 | PMC:PMC10477011 | DOI:10.1055/a-1885-1111

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2023 Sep 5. doi: 10.1111/jdv.19491. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) enables the study of architectural and cytological aspects in horizontal sections, which closely correlate with histologic features. However, traditional histopathological vertical sections cannot totally reproduce the image of in vivo RCM horizontal section.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the concordance between in vivo RCM and histopathologic transverse sections for melanocytic lesions, basal cell carcinoma, and seborrheic keratoses.

METHODS: Prospectively collected benign melanocytic and non-melanocytic tumours diagnosed by dermoscopy were evaluated for common RCM features and compared to histopathology in horizontal sections with haematoxylin and eosin staining.

RESULTS: A total of 44 skin tumours including 19 melanocytic lesions (9 compound, 5 junctional and 5 intradermal nevi), 12 basal cell carcinomas and 13 seborrheic keratoses were collected in the Department of Dermatology of Hospital Clinic of Barcelona. The RCM features that had statistically significant agreement with the histopathological horizontal sections were the preserved and visible honeycomb pattern, well-defined DEJ, small bright particles, dermal nests, tumour islands and dark silhouettes, clefting, collagen bundles, thickened collagen bundles and cytologic atypia.

CONCLUSIONS: Histopathology evaluation of horizontal sections of skin tumours can be correlated with main RCM findings. The results of this study have improved the understanding and interpretation of RCM features in relation to skin tumours, thus reinforcing the utility of RCM as a diagnostic tool.

PMID:37669864 | DOI:10.1111/jdv.19491

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2023 Sep 5. doi: 10.1111/jdv.19494. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There is limited data about the clinical meaningfulness of the Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and Patient-Oriented SCORAD (PO-SCORAD), particularly in children with mild-to-moderate AD. Regular use of patient-reported outcomes, may deliver more accurate information about the overall health status of AD patients than routine but sparse physician assessments.

OBJECTIVE: To confirm the correlation between SCORAD, PO-SCORAD, Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) and Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA). To evaluate the interpretability and clinical usefulness of the SCORAD and PO-SCORAD scores in children.

METHODS: Data were drawn from a 12-week randomized controlled trial in 335 children, aged 2-6 years, with mainly mild-to-moderate AD. Investigators captured SCORAD and IGA at each study visit. Parents used PO-SCORAD twice-weekly, and POEM once-weekly.

RESULTS: There were strong correlations between PO-SCORAD and SCORAD (r=0.874), PO-SCORAD and POEM (0.734), and PO-SCORAD and IGA (0.613). The best fit (‘k’ statistic: 0.68) between SCORAD and IGA classes was noted for the following SCORAD categories: <12 (clear/almost clear); 12-25 (mild); and ≥25 (moderate/severe). PO-SCORAD area under the curve over 8 weeks was significantly greater than that of SCORAD (P=0.0002), giving a better estimate of disease severity between visits. Patients with a flare within the next 7 days had significantly higher PO-SCORAD scores 7 days before the flare (P<0.0001). Moderate erythema was the most significant flare predictor (P<0.0001).

CONCLUSION: PO-SCORAD is robust and reliable and appears to warrant far greater utility in routine clinical practice than other scores. PO-SCORAD, used twice-weekly, may improve the management of patients with AD.

PMID:37669855 | DOI:10.1111/jdv.19494

Tob Control. 2023 Sep 5:tc-2023-058003. doi: 10.1136/tc-2023-058003. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death globally. Vietnam’s 2012 Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms establishes all healthcare facilities as smoke-free environments. We aimed to evaluate the implementation of these policies within health facilities across Vietnam.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was undertaken at 40 central, provincial, district and commune healthcare facilities in four provinces of Vietnam. The presence of tobacco sales, smoke-free signage, evidence of recent tobacco use and smoking behaviours by patients and staff were observed over a 1-week period at multiple locations within each facility. Adherence with national regulations was reported using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: 23 out of 40 facilities (57.5%) followed the requirements of the national smoke-free policy regarding tobacco sales, advertising and signage. Smoking was observed within health facility grounds at 26 (65%) facilities during the observation period. Indirect evidence of smoking was observed at 35 (88%) facilities. Sites where smoking was permitted (n=2) were more likely to have observed smoking behaviour (relative risk (RR) 2.16, 95% CI 1.83 to 2.56). Facilities where tobacco was sold (n=7) were more likely to have smoking behaviour observed at any of their sites (RR 1.53, 95% CI 0.93 to 2.51).

CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of current smoke-free hospital regulations remains incomplete, with widespread evidence of smoking observed at three levels of the Vietnamese healthcare facilities. Further interventions are required to establish the reputation of Vietnamese healthcare facilities as smoke-free environments.

PMID:37669854 | DOI:10.1136/tc-2023-058003