Tag: pubmed

J Med Radiat Sci. 2021 Jun 16. doi: 10.1002/jmrs.521. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Radiation therapists implemented telephone follow-up (TFU) in 2015 as an additional point of care post-treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine whether TFU identified patients who required additional post-treatment care before the next scheduled review.

METHODS: Between January 2015 and July 2016, all patients who were prescribed curative intent treatment aged 18 years or over were called 10 days post-radiation therapy (RT). Eight questions were developed and included asking patients how they were coping, if their side effects were improving, if they needed to contact the hospital and if more dressings were required. Patients who could not be contacted after two attempts were excluded from the study. Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) were used to analyse the responses.

RESULTS: Data were collected from 850 patients. A total of 28/846 (3%) of patients reported they were not coping after RT, with 26/830 (3%) reporting their side effects were getting worse. A total of 97/826 (12%) of patients felt they needed to contact the hospital because they were unwell. This study identified 104/677 (15%) of patients who responded required more dressings, with 67/104 (65.7%) and 10/104 (9.8%) of this cohort identified in the breast, and head and neck groups, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Radiation therapist-led TFU has shown to be beneficial in identifying a small cohort of breast and head and neck cancer patients who required additional care post-radiation treatment.

PMID:34132066 | DOI:10.1002/jmrs.521

J Gynecol Oncol. 2021 May 10. doi: 10.3802/jgo.2021.32.e68. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology conducted a retrospective multi-institutional survey of patients who underwent cervical conization in Japan. This study aimed to determine the predictive factors for positive surgical margins in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN 3) patients after therapeutic cervical conization and those for positive margins in patients who did not experience recurrence and did not undergo additional treatment.

METHODS: In 2009 and 2013, 14,832 patients underwent cervical conization at 205 institutions in Japan. Of these, 8856 patients who underwent therapeutic conization fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Their histologic findings and clinical outcomes were evaluated based on standard statistical procedures and clinical and demographic characteristics.

RESULTS: Negative and positive margins were observed in 7,585 and 1,271 (14.4%) patients, respectively. The predictors of positive margins were menopausal status (p<0.001), loop electrosurgical excision procedure (p<0.001), and Shimodaira-Taniguchi (S-T) conization (p<0.001). Of 1,271 patients with positive margins, 1,060 underwent no additional treatment; among those 1,060 patients, 129 (12.2%) experienced recurrence. The predictors of positive margins in patients who did not undergo additional treatment and did not experience recurrence were age, parity, gravidity, S-T conization, and laser scalpel conization.

CONCLUSION: Menopausal status and treatment procedures were associated with positive margins after therapeutic conization of CIN 3. It is important to understand the characteristics of treatment procedures and select an appropriate procedure for each case. For elderly or menopausal patients with positive margins, immediate additional treatment is recommended.

PMID:34132067 | DOI:10.3802/jgo.2021.32.e68

Korean J Radiol. 2021 May 26. doi: 10.3348/kjr.2020.1403. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Adequate methods of combining T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to assess complete response (CR) to chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for rectal cancer are obscure. We aimed to determine an algorithm for combining T2WI and DWI to optimally suggest CR on MRI using visual assessment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 376 patients (male:female, 256:120; mean age ± standard deviation, 59.7 ± 11.1 years) who had undergone long-course CRT for rectal cancer and both pre- and post-CRT high-resolution rectal MRI during 2017-2018. Two experienced radiologists independently evaluated whether a tumor signal was absent, representing CR, on both post-CRT T2WI and DWI, and whether the pre-treatment DWI showed homogeneous hyperintensity throughout the lesion. Algorithms for combining T2WI and DWI were as follows: ‘AND,’ if both showed CR; ‘OR,’ if any one showed CR; and ‘conditional OR,’ if T2WI showed CR or DWI showed CR after the pre-treatment DWI showed homogeneous hyperintensity. Their efficacies for diagnosing pathologic CR (pCR) were determined in comparison with T2WI alone.

RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients (18.4%) had pCR. AND had a lower sensitivity without statistical significance (vs. 62.3% [43/69]; 59.4% [41/69], p = 0.500) and a significantly higher specificity (vs. 87.0% [267/307]; 90.2% [277/307], p = 0.002) than those of T2WI. Both OR and conditional OR combinations resulted in a large increase in sensitivity (vs. 62.3% [43/69]; 81.2% [56/69], p < 0.001; and 73.9% [51/69], p = 0.008, respectively) and a large decrease in specificity (vs. 87.0% [267/307]; 57.0% [175/307], p < 0.001; and 69.1% [212/307], p < 0.001, respectively) as compared with T2WI, ultimately creating additional false interpretations of CR more frequently than additional identification of patients with pCR.

CONCLUSION: AND combination of T2WI and DWI is an appropriate strategy for suggesting CR using visual assessment of MRI after CRT for rectal cancer.

PMID:34132075 | DOI:10.3348/kjr.2020.1403

Matern Child Nutr. 2021 Jun 15:e13231. doi: 10.1111/mcn.13231. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Social and behaviour change communication (SBCC) interventions can positively affect optimal nutritional practices. This study evaluated the added value of a virtual facilitator tool to an enhanced community conversation (ECC) programme to improve infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practice among children under the Growth through Nutrition Activity programme in Ethiopia. The study used a quasi-experimental design with a control group. Pregnant and/or lactating women were the study population for both study groups. The intervention (ECC + VF) group received all the same components as the control group but had the addition of in-person ECC meetings supplemented with audio-recorded virtual facilitators (VF) sessions designed to complement the monthly meeting lesson or topic. A difference in difference analysis was employed using generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) in Stata version 15.0 (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX). A p-value of less than or equal to 0.05 was considered significant for all tests. Accordingly, a 13.6% change in iron folic acid (IFA) intake for 3 months and above was observed in the intervention group. Even though not statistically significant, large to moderate positive changes in child minimum diet diversity (20%), minimum acceptable diet (18%) and women diet diversity (7.9%) were observed in the intervention group. This study identified the use of virtual facilitators as a modality to transmit standard nutrition messages during ECC programmes for optimal IYCF practices. The findings strengthen the notion that using a combination of SBCC approaches has advantage over a single method in improving important nutritional practices.

PMID:34132054 | DOI:10.1111/mcn.13231

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021 Jun 16. doi: 10.1111/jocd.14301. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In many ailments, Cyperus rotundus is an effective and safe treatment option. Flavonoids in the oil have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. There have been no randomized controlled trials comparing topical C rotundus oil to the available allopathic modalities for treating post-hair removal laser side effects.

OBJECTIVES: Participants in this study were prospectively evaluated for the efficacy of C rotundus essential oil, compared with hydrocortisone and saline, in managing pain and erythema after laser hair removal.

METHODS: Eligible participants (n=153) were randomly assigned to one of three study groups: topical C rotundus oil (group 1), hydrocortisone (group 2), or saline (group 3). The following methods were used to assess the results: The Wong-Baker FACES Pain Scale is used to rate pain. Erythema was graded on a six-point scale: “no erythema,” “slight erythema,” “marked erythema,” “severe erythema without vesicles,” and “severe erythema with vesicles.”

RESULTS: In terms of anti-inflammatory effects, C rotundus oil and hydrocortisone did not differ significantly (P >.05). However, statistically significant differences in the analgesic effect (P.05) were observed, favouring the oil.

CONCLUSIONS: Cyperus rotundus essential oil is a safe and cost-effective treatment for post-laser pain and erythema.

PMID:34132024 | DOI:10.1111/jocd.14301

J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2021 Jun 15. doi: 10.1111/jog.14889. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: We compared the effectiveness of the Babu and Magon uterine closure technique and unlocked double-layer uterine closure on the integrity and thickness of the uterine scar.

METHODS: A randomized double-blind trial was performed at Hazrat-e Rasoul -e-Akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran, from March 2018 to December 2019, in 72 pregnant women who were candidates for cesarean section for the first time. Women were randomly assigned to the Babu and Magon uterine closure technique (intervention group, n = 34) or double-layer closure of the uterine incision (control group, n = 38). The primary outcome of the study was the frequency of myometrial defects at the site of the scar (niche), and a large niche. Secondary outcomes, including the time taken for uterine closure and postpartum hemorrhage (early and late), were compared between groups.

RESULTS: Adjacent myometrium thickness (AMT) between the two groups was not statistically significant. A niche was reported in 23.5% (8/34) and 50% (19/38) of women in the intervention and controls, respectively (p = 0.02). A large niche was reported in 2.9% (1/34) and 23.7% (9/38) of women in the intervention and controls, respectively (p < 0.01). The duration of uterine closure was not statistically significant between the two groups. Hemoglobin levels did not differ significantly between groups during the first 24 h post-surgery.

CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that the technique of uterine closure is one of the main potential determinants of myometrial healing. The Babu and Magon uterine closure technique seems to lead to tissue alignment during suturing and consequently cause better myometrial healing, although this issue calls for well-founded longer studies of appropriate design.

PMID:34131999 | DOI:10.1111/jog.14889

Int J Clin Pract. 2021 Jun 15:e14536. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.14536. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive disease characterized by degeneration in the upper and lower motor neurons of the corticospinal tract, brain stem and spinal cord. Recent studies have revealed that the disease does not present solely with motor neuron involvement. Accordingly, the aim of this study is to investigate the presence of cardiac autonomic impairment in patients diagnosed with ALS.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of 61 patients, who were diagnosed with ALS according to the Revised El Escorial Criteria (R-EEC) were included in this prospective study, in addition to the 29 healthy individuals, who were included in the study as controls. In order to assess the cardiac autonomic involvement, the presence of orthostatic hypotension was investigated, transthoracic echocardiography, and 24-hour electrocardiogram (ECG) using a Holter monitor were performed.

RESULTS: Orthostatic hypotension was detected in 14 (22.2%) patients. Holter ECG results of the patient group revealed statistically significantly lower heart rate variability (HRV) indicators in the time domain (SDNN, SDANN, SDNN index, rMSSD, and pNN50) and in the frequency domain (HF, LF, and VLF) than those of the control group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Contrary to the popular opinion, cardiac autonomic dysfunction in patients with ALS can occur at any stage of the disease. Therefore, it is recommended that the patients are evaluated via periodic examinations during the follow-up period for cardiac autonomic involvement.

PMID:34132003 | DOI:10.1111/ijcp.14536

Int J Clin Pract. 2021 Jun 15:e14537. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.14537. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA) and falls. Potentially relevant articles that examine the association between hip, knee, radiological, and self-reported OA and falls were retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science up until March of 2020.

METHODS: The pooled risk ratios (RRs) as well as their related 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Statistic and subgroup analyses were performed. A total of 21 studies involving 146,965 participants were included.

RESULTS: No association was found between hip OA and falls. The pooled RRs value suggested a higher prevalence of falls in knee OA patients (RR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.20 to 1.51, P<0.00001) and self-reported OA (RR=1.33, 95% CI: 1.23 to 1.45, P<0.00001) than in non-OA subjects. The pooled RR value suggested no difference between prevalence of falls in radiological OA patients compared to non-OA subjects (RR=1.82, 95% CI: 0.89 to 3.73, P=0.10). Both radiological and self-reported knee OA seem to be positively associated with falls, while no obvious association was found between hip OA and falls.

CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, knee OA is a risk factor for falls which should be closely monitored.

PMID:34132007 | DOI:10.1111/ijcp.14537

New Phytol. 2021 Jun 15. doi: 10.1111/nph.17558. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Global vegetation and land-surface models embody interdisciplinary scientific understanding of the behaviour of plants and ecosystems, and are indispensable to project the impacts of environmental change on vegetation and the interactions between vegetation and climate. However, systematic errors and persistently large differences among carbon and water cycle projections by different models highlight the limitations of current process formulations. In this review, focusing on core plant functions in the terrestrial carbon and water cycles, we show how unifying hypotheses derived from eco-evolutionary optimality (EEO) principles can provide novel, parameter-sparse representations of plant and vegetation processes. We present case studies that demonstrate how EEO generate parsimonious representations of core, leaf-level processes that are individually testable and supported by evidence. EEO approaches to photosynthesis and primary production, dark respiration, and stomatal behaviour are ripe for implementation in global models. EEO approaches to other important traits, including the leaf economics spectrum and applications of EEO at the community level are active research areas. Independently tested modules emerging from EEO studies could profitably be integrated into modelling frameworks that account for the multiple time scales on which plants and plant communities adjust to environmental change.

PMID:34131932 | DOI:10.1111/nph.17558

Spec Care Dentist. 2021 Jun 15. doi: 10.1111/scd.12616. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: The present study investigated if recurrent manifestation of oral herpes lesions is associated with other factors and impacts the oral health-related quality of life in para-athletes.

METHODS AND RESULTS: The studied population was composed of a convenience sample of 370 Brazilian para-athletes. All included individuals answered questionnaires and were submitted to an oral examination. A self-reported questionnaire addressed demographic and oral health data, including the recurrent manifestation of oral herpes lesions. The Oral Health Impact Profile was also applied in its reduced version with 14 questions (OHIP-14). The population was categorized according to results from previous competitions into a high-performance level, medium-performance level, and regional-performance level. Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests, odds ratio calculation, logistic regression analysis, and t-tests were performed (α = 5%). Sixty (16.2%) para-athletes reported recurrent manifestations of oral herpes lesions. Para-athletes with sleep bruxism (p = .007) and awake bruxism (p = .048) had a higher chance of reporting oral herpes lesions. Type of breathing was also associated with oral herpes lesions (p = .031). The OHIP-14 mean distribution among the groups was not statistically significant (p > .05).

CONCLUSION: Bruxism and type of breathing were associated with self-reported oral herpes lesions in Brazilian para-athletes.

PMID:34131935 | DOI:10.1111/scd.12616