Tag: pubmed

Surg Endosc. 2021 Apr 23. doi: 10.1007/s00464-021-08466-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome following the strategy of endoscopic R0 resection (ER) plus adjuvant treatment (AT) versus esophagectomy for esophageal squamous cell cancer in T1a invading muscularis mucosa (M3)-T1b stage.

METHODS: We evaluated the outcomes of 46 esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) patients with T1aM3-T1b stage who underwent ER + AT from the Esophageal Cancer Endoscopic Therapy Consortium (ECETC) and compared these outcomes to 92 patients who underwent esophagectomy. Propensity score matching (1:2) was used, with overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) being compared between the two groups.

RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 32 months, there were no statistical differences (P = 0.226) in OS between the two groups. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival in the esophagectomy group was 95%, 91%, and 84%, respectively. There were no mortalities within three years in the ER + AT group. The RFS between the two groups was also not significantly different (P = 0.938). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year RFS of patients in the esophagectomy group was 90%, 90%, and 83%, respectively, while it was 97%, 94%, and 74% in the ER + AT group, respectively. The local recurrence rates between the two groups were not significantly different (P = 0.277).

CONCLUSIONS: This first multicenter analysis showed similar outcomes were found regarding OS and RFS between the two groups in T1aM3-T1b stage patients. ER + AT may be considered in high-risk patients or for those who refuse esophagectomy.

PMID:33893544 | DOI:10.1007/s00464-021-08466-2

Parasitol Res. 2021 Apr 24. doi: 10.1007/s00436-021-07147-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Culicoides biting midges are small dipterous insects (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) which are known to be vectors of arboviruses, bacteria, protozoan and helminth parasites that can cause disease and mortality in livestock and poultry globally. Detailed knowledge of the Culicoides species composition and biology is essential to assess the risk of the introduction and transmission of pathogens. The aim of this study was to obtain data on Culicoides species composition and flying activity in southeastern Lithuania and to determine the meteorological variables related to the abundance of Culicoides biting midges. Biting midges were collected in Verkiai Regional Park, southeastern Lithuania, using an Onderstepoort trap once a week from April to October 2016 and 2018, and from April to July 2019; 7332 Culicoides females belonging to 22 species were identified. Both morphology and DNA barcoding were used for identification. The number of specimens trapped was highest for the Obsoletus Group, followed by Culicoides kibunensis and Culicoides impunctatus. The highest relative abundance and diversity of biting midges were found in May and June. The number of trapped biting midges correlated positively with the mean air temperature. The first biting midges in spring were caught when the mean daily temperature rose higher than 10 °C. No Culicoides were detected when the air temperature dropped below 5 °C in autumn. Wind speed and air humidity had no statistically significant effect on Culicoides abundance.

PMID:33893548 | DOI:10.1007/s00436-021-07147-2

Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2021 Apr 23. doi: 10.1007/s00266-021-02289-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Previous data were not conclusive on the safety of gestation in patients whose abdominal flaps were earlier harvested. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the abdominal wall complications and birth mode of pregnancy in post-TRAM or post-DIEP harvested individuals.

METHODS: A literature search was performed using the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google scholar database. Heterogeneity was statistically analyzed, and random effect models were applied. Publication bias was assessed by funnel plot.

RESULTS: We included 25 papers that captured 56 patients giving birth to 69 healthy babies after elevation of abdominally based flaps, with a pooled abdominal complication rate of 0.00-0.09. The complication incidence in TRAM group was 0.01 (95% CI = [0.00-0.14%]) while 0.00 in the DIEP group (95% CI = [0.00-0.26%]). Discrepancies in incidence following unilaterally or bilaterally based TRAM flaps, following free or pedicled TRAM flaps, following primary sutured or mesh strengthened fascia, following MS free TRAM or conventional free TRAM could not be calculated as statistically significant. TRAM group and DIEP group patients had identical birth modes.

CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis did not detect evidence that abdominal walls with the prior harvest of abdominal flaps could affect the process of pregnancy or contraindicate vaginal delivery. No abdominal hernia or bulge occurred with post-DIEP pregnancies. However, such conclusions need to be substantiated by larger sample studies.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine Ratings, please refer to Table of Contents or online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

PMID:33893518 | DOI:10.1007/s00266-021-02289-1

J Orofac Orthop. 2021 Apr 23. doi: 10.1007/s00056-021-00295-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this randomized prospective clinical study was to determine whether there are differences between customized lingual brackets and conventional labial brackets regarding the alignment of the mandibular arch and a reduction of the irregularity index during an 18-week treatment interval.

METHODS: A total of 20 patients who presented with class I malocclusion for scheduled orthodontic treatment without tooth extraction were included. The patients were randomly assigned by numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes to treatment with customized lingual brackets or conventional labial brackets. During the initial alignment (T0), 0.012″ (T1), 0.014″ (T2), and 0.016″ (T3) nickel-titanium archwires were applied, respectively, and the control visits were scheduled at 6‑week intervals. In all sessions, digital models were obtained by an intraoral scanning device after removal of the archwire and were analyzed by software. Little’s irregularity index, intercanine width, intermolar width and arch length were evaluated at three time points and were statistically analyzed with a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Changes in these measurements at the three intervals (T1-T0, T2-T1, T3-T2) and overall treatment effects were also compared using the Student t‑test.

RESULTS: Comparing the two treatments regimes, intergroup mean values at T0, T1, T2, and T3 were not significantly different regarding the irregularity index, intercanine width, intermolar width and arch length.

CONCLUSION: In this pilot study, no differences between the two treatment approaches could be detected for the phase of initial mandibular alignment.

PMID:33893516 | DOI:10.1007/s00056-021-00295-1

Arch Dermatol Res. 2021 Apr 23. doi: 10.1007/s00403-021-02233-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that substantially reduces patient quality of life. Many HS patients ask their dermatologist about potential lifestyle modifications, such as following particular diets or avoiding specific products, in an attempt to alleviate their symptoms. However, insufficient research has been conducted to support well-informed lifestyle modification counseling, and patients frequently defer to anecdotal endorsements of various interventions found on social media support groups. Therefore, we sought to clarify what lifestyle modifications were capable of improving HS symptoms.

METHODS: We conducted a survey-based study to examine modifiable risk factors and their association with the severity of HS. Five hundred and ninety-one patients with HS participated in an online survey detailing the severity of their HS symptoms before and after various lifestyle interventions. Average improvements in both subjective and objective ratings of symptom severity were calculated and statistical differences between the levels of improvement seen among various categories of lifestyle interventions were determined.

RESULTS: Numerous lifestyle interventions including substantial weight loss, smoking cessation, use of gentle skin and depilatory products, and menstrual regulation were associated with both subjective and objective improvements in symptom severity.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that patients affected by HS may experience clinically significant improvement from a variety of lifestyle modifications.

PMID:33893517 | DOI:10.1007/s00403-021-02233-y

Dis Esophagus. 2021 Apr 24:doab021. doi: 10.1093/dote/doab021. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The prognostic value of histomorphologic regression in primary esophageal cancer has been previously established, however the impact of lymph node (LN) response on survival still remains unclear. The aim of this review was to assess the prognostic significance of LN regression or downstaging following neoadjuvant therapy for esophageal cancer.

METHODS: An electronic search was performed to identify articles evaluating LN regression or downstaging after neoadjuvant therapy. Random effects meta-analyses were performed to assess the influence of regression in the LNs and nodal downstaging on overall survival. Histomorphologic tumor regression in LNs was defined by the absence of viable cells or degree of fibrosis on histopathologic examination. Downstaged LNs were defined as pN0 nodes by the tumor, node, and metastasis classification, which were positive prior to treatment neoadjuvant.

RESULTS: Eight articles were included, three of which assessed tumor regression (number of patients = 292) and five assessed downstaging (number of patients = 1368). Complete tumor regression (average rate of 29.1%) in the LNs was associated with improved survival, although not statistically significant (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.26-1.06; P = 0.17). LNs downstaging (average rate of 32.2%) was associated with improved survival compared to node positivity after neoadjuvant treatment (HR = 0.41, 95%CI = 0.22-0.77; P = 0.005).

DISCUSSION: The findings of this meta-analysis have shown a survival benefit in patients with LN downstaging and are suggestive for considering LN downstaging to ypN0 as an additional prognostic marker in staging and in the comparative evaluation of differing neoadjuvant regimens in clinical trials. No statistically significant effect of histopathologic regression in the LNs on long-term survival was seen.

PMID:33893494 | DOI:10.1093/dote/doab021

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2021 Apr 24. doi: 10.1007/s00127-021-02076-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Honest, Open, Proud (HOP; formerly “Coming Out Proud”/COP) is a peer-led group program to support people with mental illness in their disclosure decisions and in their coping with stigma. The aims of this study were to provide (i) a conceptual review of HOP, including versions for different target groups and issues related to outcome measurement and implementation; and (ii) a meta-analysis of program efficacy.

METHODS: Conceptual and empirical literature on disclosure and the HOP program was reviewed. Controlled trials of HOP/COP were searched in literature databases. A meta-analysis of HOP efficacy in terms of key outcomes was conducted.

RESULTS: HOP program adaptations for different target groups (e.g. parents of children with mental illness; veterans or active soldiers with mental illness) exist and await evaluation. Recruitment for trials and program implementation may be challenging. A meta-analysis of five HOP RCTs for adults or adolescents with mental illness or adult survivors of suicide attempts found significant positive effects on stigma stress (smd = – 0.50) as well as smaller, statistically non-significant effects on self-stigma (smd = – 0.17) and depression (smd = – 0.11) at the end of the HOP program. At 3- to 4-week follow-up, there was a modest, not statistically significant effect on stigma stress (smd = – 0.40, 95%-CI -0.83 to 0.04), while effects for self-stigma were small and significant (smd = – 0.24). Long-term effects of the HOP program are unknown.

CONCLUSION: There is initial evidence that HOP effectively supports people with mental illness in their disclosure decisions and in their coping with stigma. Implementation issues, future developments and public health implications are discussed.

PMID:33893512 | DOI:10.1007/s00127-021-02076-y

Sci Rep. 2021 Apr 23;11(1):8812. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-87956-8.

ABSTRACT

The current research explores incremental effect of thermal radiation on heat transfer improvement corresponds to Darcy-Forchheimer (DF) flow of carbon nanotubes along a stretched rotating surface using RSM. Casson carbon nanotubes’ constructed model in boundary layer flow is being investigated with implications of both single-walled CNTs and multi-walled CNTs. Water and Ethylene glycol are considered a basic fluid. The heat transfer rate is scrutinized via convective condition. Outcomes are observed and evaluated for both SWCNTs and MWCNTs. The Runge-Kutta Fehlberg technique of shooting is utilized to numerically solve transformed nonlinear ordinary differential system. The output parameters of interest are presumed to depend on governing input variables. In addition, sensitivity study is incorporated. It is noted that sensitivity of SFC via SWCNT-Water becomes higher by increasing values of permeability number. Additionaly, sensitivity of SFC via SWCNT-water towards the permeability number is higher than the solid volume fraction for medium and higher permeability levels. It is also noted that sensitivity of SFC (SWCNT-Ethylene-glycol) towards volume fraction is higher for increasing permeability as well as inertia coefficient. Additionally, the sensitivity of LNN towards the Solid volume fraction is higher than the radiation and Biot number for all levels of Biot number. The findings will provide initial direction for future device manufacturing.

PMID:33893354 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-87956-8

Sci Rep. 2021 Apr 23;11(1):8871. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-88266-9.

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we analyse the seismic noise at Ischia Island (Italy) with the objective of detecting the hydrothermal source signals taking advantage of the Covid-19 quiescence due to lockdown (strong reduction of anthropogenic noise). We compare the characteristics of the background noise in pre-, during and post-lockdown in terms of spectral content, energy release (RMS) and statistical moments. The continuous noise is decomposed into two independent signals in the 1-2 Hz and 2-4 Hz frequency bands, becoming sharpened around 1 Hz and 3 Hz respectively in lockdown. We propose a conceptual model according to which a dendritic system of fluid-permeated fractures plays as neighbour closed organ pipes, for which the fundamental mode provides the persistent whisper and the first higher mode is activated in concomitance with energy increases. By assuming reasonable values for the sound speed in low vapor-liquid mass fraction for a two-phase fluid and considering temperatures and pressures of the shallow aquifer fed by sea, meteoric and deep hydrothermal fluids, we estimate pipe lengths in the range 200-300 m. In this scheme, Ischia organ-like system can play both continuous whisper and transients, depending on the energy variations sourced by pressure fluctuations in the hydrothermal fluids.

PMID:33893368 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-88266-9

Eur J Clin Nutr. 2021 Apr 23. doi: 10.1038/s41430-021-00910-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the predictive potential of early pregnancy factors such as lifestyle, gestational weight gain (GWG) and mental well-being on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) beyond established risk factors.

METHODS: GDM risk was investigated in the cohort of the German ‘Gesund leben in der Schwangerschaft’/healthy living in pregnancy study. Women were recruited up to the 12^th week of gestation. GDM was diagnosed with a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test between the 24^th and 28^th weeks of gestation. Pre-pregnancy age and weight, mental health and lifestyle were assessed via questionnaires. Maternal weight was measured throughout pregnancy. Early excessive GWG was defined based on the guidelines of the Institute of Medicine. The association between several factors and the odds of developing GDM was assessed using multiple logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS: Of 1694 included women, 10.8% developed GDM. The odds increased with pre-pregnancy BMI and age (women with obesity: 4.91, CI 3.35-7.19, p < 0.001; women aged 36-43 years: 2.84, CI 1.45-5.56, p = 0.002). Early excessive GWG, mental health and general lifestyle ratings were no significant risk factors. A 31% reduction in the odds of GDM was observed when <30% of energy was consumed from fat (OR 0.69, CI 0.49-0.96, p = 0.026). Vigorous physical activity tended to lower the odds without evidence of statistical significance (OR 0.59 per 10 MET-h/week, p = 0.076).

CONCLUSIONS: Maternal age and BMI stand out as the most important drivers of GDM. Early pregnancy factors like dietary fat content seem to be associated with GDM risk. Further evaluation is warranted before providing reliable recommendations.

PMID:33893447 | DOI:10.1038/s41430-021-00910-9