Tag: pubmed

Int Urol Nephrol. 2021 Nov 16. doi: 10.1007/s11255-021-03055-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To test for differences in cancer-specific mortality (CSM) rates in Hispanic/Latino prostate cancer patients according to treatment type, radical prostatectomy (RP) vs external beam radiotherapy (EBRT).

METHODS: Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2010-2016), we identified 2290 NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network) high-risk (HR) Hispanic/Latino prostate cancer patients. Of those, 893 (39.0%) were treated with RP vs 1397 (61.0%) with EBRT. First, cumulative incidence plots and competing risks regression models tested for CSM differences after adjustment for other cause mortality (OCM). Second, cumulative incidence plots and competing risks regression models were refitted after 1:1 propensity score matching (according to age, PSA, biopsy Gleason score, cT-stage, cN-stage).

RESULTS: In NCCN HR patients, 5-year CSM rates for RP vs EBRT were 2.4 vs 4.7%, yielding a multivariable hazard ratio of 0.37 (95% CI 0.19-0.73, p = 0.004) favoring RP. However, after propensity score matching, the hazard ratio of 0.54 was no longer statistically significant (95% CI 0.21-1.39, p = 0.2).

CONCLUSION: Without the use of strictest adjustment for population differences, NCCN high-risk Hispanic/Latino prostate cancer patients appear to benefit more of RP than EBRT. However, after strictest adjustment for baseline patient and tumor characteristics between RP and EBRT cohorts, the apparent CSM benefit of RP is no longer statistically significant. In consequence, in Hispanic/Latino NCCN high-risk patients, either treatment modality results in similar CSM outcome.

PMID:34783982 | DOI:10.1007/s11255-021-03055-7

Obes Surg. 2021 Nov 16. doi: 10.1007/s11695-021-05758-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a standard procedure due to its low complication rates and favorable outcomes. However, limited data are available regarding the optimal size of linear staplers in relation to gastric wall thickness (GWT).

METHODS: Between August 2016 and December 2020, we performed LSG in 70 patients with an average age, body weight, and body mass index of 42 years, 107 kg, and 40 kg/m², respectively. We measured the GWT at the antrum, body, and fundus using resected specimens. We used an endo-linear stapler, and the closed staple height (CSH) was 1.75 mm.

RESULTS: We found that the average GWT at the antrum was significantly thicker than the GWT at the body and fundus. There was a statistically significant relationship between body weight and the GWT at the antrum and body and obstructive sleep apnea and the GWT at the body. The average CSH/GWT ratios were 0.55, 0.62, and 0.90 at the antrum, body, and fundus, respectively. However, in 20 patients (29%), the CSH/GWT ratio at the fundus area was ≥ 1.0, and only preoperative body weight was a significant predictor for a CSH/GWT ratio of ≥ 1.0.

CONCLUSION: A light body weight may be related to a CSH/GWT ratio of ≥ 1.0 at the fundus.

PMID:34783958 | DOI:10.1007/s11695-021-05758-3

Obes Surg. 2021 Nov 16. doi: 10.1007/s11695-021-05790-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Bariatric endoscopy (BE) is an emerging treatment option for people with obesity. Spin (i.e., the practice of frequent misrepresentation or overinterpretation of study findings) may lead to imbalanced and unjustified optimism in the interpretation of the results. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the frequency and type of spin in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of endoscopic primary weight loss techniques with statistically significant and nonsignificant primary outcomes. In conclusion, spin is observed in the abstract and main text of BE reports and can lead to misinterpretation or overinterpretation of the results. Since BE challenges the available non-endoscopic treatments for obesity, further research is needed to better qualify these techniques, as being effective and safe, as well as predefined hypotheses and analyses.

PMID:34783961 | DOI:10.1007/s11695-021-05790-3

Cancer Causes Control. 2021 Nov 16. doi: 10.1007/s10552-021-01515-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: African men are disproportionately affected by prostate cancer (PCa). Given the increasing prevalence of obesity in Africa, and its association with aggressive PCa in other populations, we examined the relationship of overall and central obesity with risks of total and aggressive PCa among African men.

METHODS: Between 2016 and 2020, we recruited 2,200 PCa cases and 1,985 age-matched controls into a multi-center, hospital-based case-control study in Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa. Participants completed an epidemiologic questionnaire, and anthropometric factors were measured at clinic visit. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations of overall and central obesity with PCa risk, measured by body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), respectively.

RESULTS: Among controls 16.4% were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²), 26% and 90% had WC > 97 cm and WHR > 0.9, respectively. Cases with aggressive PCa had lower BMI/obesity in comparison to both controls and cases with less aggressive PCa, suggesting weight loss related to cancer. Overall obesity (odds ratio: OR = 1.38, 95% CI 0.99-1.93), and central obesity (WC > 97 cm: OR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.10-2.33; and WHtR > 0.59: OR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.24-2.29) were positively associated with D’Amico intermediate-risk PCa, but not with risks of total or high-risk PCa. Associations were more pronounced in West versus South Africa, but these differences were not statistically significant.

DISCUSSION: The high prevalence of overall and central obesity in African men and their association with intermediate-risk PCa represent an emerging public health concern in Africa. Large cohort studies are needed to better clarify the role of obesity and PCa in various African populations.

PMID:34783926 | DOI:10.1007/s10552-021-01515-0

Cancer Causes Control. 2021 Nov 16. doi: 10.1007/s10552-021-01520-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Surgery is an important part of early stage breast cancer treatment that affects overall survival. Many studies of surgical treatment of breast cancer rely on data sources that condition on continuous insurance coverage or treatment at specified facilities and thus under-sample populations especially affected by cancer care inequities including the uninsured and rural populations. Statewide cancer registries contain data on first course of cancer treatment for all patients diagnosed with cancer but the accuracy of these data are uncertain.

METHODS: Patients diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer between 2003 and 2016 were identified using the North Carolina Central Cancer Registry and linked to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance claims. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and Kappa statistics for receipt of surgery and type of surgery (breast conserving surgery or mastectomy) using the insurance claims as the presumed gold standard. Analyses were stratified by race, insurance type, and rurality.

RESULTS: Of 26,819 patients who met eligibility criteria, 23,125 were identified as having surgery in both the claims and registry for a sensitivity of 97.9% (95% CI 97.8%, 98.1%). There was also strong agreement for surgery type between the cancer registry and the insurance claims (Kappa: 0.91). Registry treatment data validity was lower for Medicaid insured patients than for Medicare and commercially insured patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Cancer registry treatment data reliably identified receipt and type of breast cancer surgery. Cancer registries are an important source of data for understanding cancer care in underrepresented populations.

PMID:34783925 | DOI:10.1007/s10552-021-01520-3

Psicol Reflex Crit. 2021 Nov 16;34(1):35. doi: 10.1186/s41155-021-00200-0.

ABSTRACT

Short-term memory is a dynamic psychological process that operates within a network in which non-verbal intelligence and attentional domains are connected. However, no consensus has been reached about which process has the greatest effect on this memory ability, which was the main objective of the present study. A sample of 1448 Brazilian participants (mean age = 26.62 years, standard deviation = 9.97 years; 53.9% females) were collectively tested on pen-and-paper standardized and validated measures of selective (ROTAS-C), alternating (ROTAS-A), and divided (ROTAS-D) attention. They also performed the R1 Non-verbal Intelligence Test and a visual short-term memory test (Memória Visual de Curto Prazo [MEMORE] test). The statistical analyses consisted of a data mining procedure, in which exhaustive automatic selection screening was performed. The results were compared with Corrected Akaike Information Criteria. The linear model met the classic assumptions of ordinary least squares and only included main effects of selective attention (standardized β = 0.39) and non-verbal intelligence (standardized β = 0.37) as main predictors (F_2,39 = 7.01, p < 0.01, adjusted R² = 24%). The results are discussed within a cognitive psychology framework.

PMID:34783917 | DOI:10.1186/s41155-021-00200-0

Clin Oral Investig. 2021 Nov 16. doi: 10.1007/s00784-021-04265-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The effectiveness of using food-grade coolant thickener solutions on the amount of aerosols generated and splatter contamination spread distance during simulated ultrasonic scaling was examined.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed using a phantom lower jaw placed on a black box. Simulated ultrasonic scaling was performed for 2 min using four coolant solutions: distilled water (control), 2% wt. polyacrylic acid (PAA), 0.4% wt. xanthan gum (XA), and 0.4% wt. carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The simulation was repeated 10 times for each coolant group. The generated aerosols and droplets were quantified using a handheld particle counter, and the splatter contamination spread distance was evaluated by adding tracing fluorescent dye to the coolant reservoir supplying the scaler unit. One-way multivariate analysis of variance was performed to determine the difference among coolant groups (a = .05).

RESULTS: The amount of aerosols and droplets and splatter contamination distance (p < .001) pertaining to the three food-grade coolant thickener solutions were considerably lower than those for the distilled water (control). The PAA group exhibited a significantly lower splatter contamination distance (p < .001) and a number of generated droplets (p = .031) than those of the XA group. The CMC group exhibited a significantly lower splatter contamination distance (p < .001) than that of the XA group. No statistically significant difference was observed between the PAA and CMC in terms of the three dependent variables (p > .05).

CONCLUSION: The food-grade coolant thickeners could reduce the amount of generated aerosols and splatter contamination distance but not completely eliminate them. PAA and CMC solutions were more effective in reducing the aerosol/splatter during scaling compared to XA.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Many dental procedures generate aerosols and splatter, which pose a potential risk to the patients and dental personnel, especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

PMID:34783913 | DOI:10.1007/s00784-021-04265-0

Clin Oral Investig. 2021 Nov 16. doi: 10.1007/s00784-021-04258-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the detection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and to verify the concordance of EBV-DNA frequency in subgingival sites and in the OSCC.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 30 OSCC patients, aged from 44 to 88 years old, was conducted. Samples were collected in subgingival sites and at the OSCC, then submitted to DNA isolation, qPCR, and genotyping. Descriptive statistic was performed to report the frequency of EBV-DNA in all samples, and McNemar test was applied to verify the concordance among the EBV-DNA frequency in both sites.

RESULTS: The individuals presented 62 years old in average, and the majority were male (66.6%). EBV-DNA was detected in 56.7% OSCC lesions. Among the subgroup of 19 dentate individuals, high concordance (73.7%) in both EBV-DNA detection and the absence in subgingival sites and OSCC was observed, and it was statistically significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: We report the notable occurrence of EBV-DNA in OSCC; also, the presence of EBV in periodontal sites may contribute to find it in OSCC, although the possible contribution of EBV in the OSCC remains to be investigated.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The identification of this easily accessible site of EBV latent infection may help to improve the patient’s quality of life by maintenance of oral/periodontal health condition and preventing further possible disorders related to the virus, and also encourages new approaches for investigating EBV, periodontitis, and OSCC.

PMID:34783915 | DOI:10.1007/s00784-021-04258-z

J Egypt Public Health Assoc. 2021 Nov 16;96(1):31. doi: 10.1186/s42506-021-00091-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Heavy lifting may lead to sudden increase in venous, intra-abdominal, and intraocular pressure which in turn may cause retinal detachment (RD). The epidemiological evidence for this association is still inconclusive. This study was carried out to investigate the relationship between occupational heavy lifting and RD.

METHODS: A case-control study was carried out on 151 RD cases and 113 controls free of RD attending the ophthalmology outpatient clinic at Ain Shams University. Personal, medical, and occupational data were collected using interview questionnaires in addition to conducting full ophthalmologic examination.

RESULTS: The mean age of study participants was 45.8 ± 9.1 years (46.8 ± 8.9, 44.4 ± 9.2 for RD cases and controls respectively). Statistically significant differences were found between cases and controls regarding years of working, occupational categories, frequency of occupational heavy lifting, non-work heavy lifting, history of head trauma, history of eye surgeries, and family history of RD. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that lifting (Odds ratio (OR) = 4.8, p < 0.0001), history of head trauma (OR = 3.3, p = 0.013), diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR = 4.96, p < 0.0001), and previous eye surgeries (OR = 3.5, p = 0.003) increased the risk of RD.

CONCLUSION: Occupational heavy lifting is associated with RD. Occupational categories, duration of lifting heavy objects during work and family history of RD had a significant effect on RD. An ergonomic approach should be adopted and practiced as it has a significant impact on reducing the risks of lifting and carrying heavy objects. The workplace’s design (including having appropriate mechanical aids available) is also of significant importance to reducing the risks. During the patient’s visit, ophthalmologists should consider and look for the occupational heavy lifting history as a potential risk factor of the patient’s symptoms.

PMID:34783901 | DOI:10.1186/s42506-021-00091-0

J Neurol. 2021 Nov 16. doi: 10.1007/s00415-021-10890-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) could provide the added value for detecting brain microstructural alterations in the preclinical stage of Machado-Joseph disease/spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (MJD/SCA3) compared with MRI morphometry and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

METHODS: Twenty preclinical MJD/SCA3 patients and 21 healthy controls were enrolled. Three b values DWI and 3D T1-weighted images were acquired at 3.0 T. Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) approach was used to investigate the white matter (WM) alterations in the DTI metrics and NODDI metrics. Gray matter-based spatial statistics (GBSS) approach was used to investigate the grey matter (GM) alterations in the NODDI metrics. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) approach was performed on the 3D T1-weighted images. The relationship between the cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) repeat length and brain microstructural alterations of preclinical MJD/SCA3 was identified.

RESULTS: Compared with healthy controls, the preclinical MJD/SCA3 patients showed decreased FA and NDI as well as increased MD, AD, and RD in the WM of cerebellum and brainstem (corrected P < 0.05), and decreased NDI in the GM of cerebellar vermis (corrected P < 0.05). The CAG repeat length in preclinical MJD/SCA3 patients was negatively correlated with the reduced FA and NDI of the infratentorial WM and the reduced NDI of the cerebellum, and positively with the increased MD and RD of the infratentorial WM.

CONCLUSIONS: NOODI can provide novel quantitative microstructural changes in MJD/SCA3 carriers, expanding our understanding of the gray and white matter (axons and dendrites) degeneration in this frequent ataxia syndrome.

PMID:34783886 | DOI:10.1007/s00415-021-10890-2