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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Dietary changes and food habits: social and clinical determinants in a cohort of women diagnosed with breast cancer in Barcelona (DAMA cohort)

Cancer Causes Control. 2021 Sep 4. doi: 10.1007/s10552-021-01483-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of social determinants on changes in dietary habits before and after diagnosis of breast cancer in women (Barcelona, 2003-2013).

METHODS: We performed a cohort study with 2,235 women diagnosed with breast cancer. The information was obtained from an ad hoc questionnaire based on recommendations from the Spanish Society of Community Nutrition. We conducted a descriptive bivariate analysis and fit logistic regression models. The dependent variable was the change in dietary habits (food groups) and the independent variables were a selection of social and clinical variables (age, social class, cohabitation, years since diagnosis, history of replaces, and treatment with chemotherapy).

RESULTS: While 5.8% of women followed a healthy diet (consumption of vegetables, fruits, farinaceous, lean meat, and seafood) before diagnosis, 9.5% did so after diagnosis. We observed statistically significant changes in consumption of all food groups (p < 0.001) after diagnosis. The greatest change in consumption patterns was observed in women aged < 50 years and those from non-manual classes (high classes) [e.g., legume consumption: OR<50 years/>65 years = 2.9 (95% CI 1.78-4.81); ORnon-manual/manual = 2.5 (95% CI 1.38-4.36)]. The occurrence of relapses and chemotherapy was associated with greater changes in dietary habits.

CONCLUSION: Women with breast cancer change their eating habits after diagnosis, and these changes are conditioned by social and clinical determinants.

PMID:34480675 | DOI:10.1007/s10552-021-01483-5

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The effect of changing apical foramen diameter on regenerative potential of mature teeth with necrotic pulp and apical periodontitis

Clin Oral Investig. 2021 Sep 4. doi: 10.1007/s00784-021-04159-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the regenerative potential of permanent necrotic mature teeth with different apical foramen diameters in comparison to conventional endodontic treatment.

METHODS: Pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis were induced in premolars (144 roots) in six mongrel dogs. The infected teeth were divided into six groups; conventional root canal treatment (RCT) group prepared up to apical preparation sizes #F3 ProTaper file, regenerative endodontic therapy (RET) groups; groups RET-F3, RET-F4, and RET-F5 where regenerative endodontic procedures were applied after apical preparation up to sizes #F3, F4, and F5 ProTaper file, respectively, control groups; and positive (P) and negative (N) groups included infected and healthy teeth respectively. Each group (12 teeth with 24 roots each) was further subdivided into two subgroups (6 teeth with 12 roots each) according to the evaluation periods 1 and 3 months; each group was equally randomized in the upper and lower jaws during each evaluation period.

RESULTS: The inflammatory cell counts for the RCT group were statistically significantly higher than that of all RET groups at the first period and only significantly higher than RET-F5 at the second period. The enlargement of the apical foramen to #F5 showed no statistically significant difference with #F4 regarding the inflammatory cell count, tissue in-growth inside the root canal, and percentage of bone resorption. The tissue formed after RET was not true pulp tissue and is considered tissue repair with connective tissue, dilated blood vessels, and cementum-like structures.  CONCLUSION: Increasing the apical size diameter was associated with less inflammatory cell count, less percentage of bone resorption, more tissue ingrowth, and more percentage of new hard tissue formation inside root canal. The minimum apical diameter that should be enlarged for RET is 0.4 mm.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: RET could be used as an alternative procedure to RCT for the treatment of mature teeth with necrotic pulp and apical periodontitis.

PMID:34480644 | DOI:10.1007/s00784-021-04159-1

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Exploration of predictors of benefit from nivolumab monotherapy for patients with pretreated advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer: post hoc subanalysis from the ATTRACTION-2 study

Gastric Cancer. 2021 Sep 4. doi: 10.1007/s10120-021-01230-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The phase 3 ATTRACTION-2 study demonstrated that nivolumab monotherapy was superior to placebo for patients with pretreated advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer, but early progression of tumors in some patients was of concern.

METHODS: This post hoc analysis statistically explored the baseline characteristics of the ATTRACTION-2 patients and extracted a single-factor and double-factor combinations associated with early disease progression or early death. In the extracted patient subgroups, the 3-year restricted mean survival times of progression-free survival and overall survival were compared between the nivolumab and placebo arms.

RESULTS: Two single factors (age and peritoneal metastasis) were extracted as independent predictors of early progression, but none of them, as a single factor, stratified patients into two subgroups with significant differences in restricted mean survival time. In contrast, two double-factor combinations (serum sodium level and white blood cell count; serum sodium level and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio) stratifying patients into two subgroups with significant differences in the restricted mean survival time were extracted. Additional exploratory analysis of a triple-factor combination showed that patients aged < 60 years with peritoneal metastasis and low serum sodium levels (approximately 7% of all patients) might receive less benefit from nivolumab, and patients aged ≥ 60 years with no peritoneal metastasis and normal serum sodium levels might receive higher benefit.

CONCLUSIONS: A combination of age, peritoneal metastasis, and serum sodium level might predict benefit from nivolumab as salvage therapy in advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer patients, especially less benefit for patients having all three risk factors.

PMID:34480657 | DOI:10.1007/s10120-021-01230-4

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Exploring the epidemiological changes of common respiratory viruses since the COVID-19 pandemic: a hospital study in Hangzhou, China

Arch Virol. 2021 Sep 4. doi: 10.1007/s00705-021-05214-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and influenza virus are common causes of respiratory infections. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on their prevalence. The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemic changes of common respiratory viruses in the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University in Hangzhou, China, from October of 2017 to February of 2021. We collected statistics from 121,529 patients in the outpatient and inpatient departments of the hospital who had throat or nose swabs collected for testing for four virus antigens by the colloidal gold method. Of these, 13,200 (10.86%) were positive for influenza A virus, 8,402 (6.91%) were positive for influenza B virus, 6,056 (4.98%) were positive for adenovirus, and 4,739 (3.90%) were positive for respiratory syncytial virus. The positivity rates of the influenza A virus (0-14 years old, P = 0.376; over 14 years old, P = 0.197) and respiratory syncytial virus (0-14 years old, P = 0.763; over 14 years old, P = 0.465) did not differ significantly by gender. After January of 2020, influenza virus infection decreased significantly. The positivity rate of respiratory syncytial virus remained high, and its epidemic season was similar to before. Strict respiratory protection and regulation of crowd activities have a great impact on the epidemic characteristics of viruses. After major changes in the public health environment, virus epidemics and their mutations should be monitored closely, extensively, and continuously.

PMID:34480636 | DOI:10.1007/s00705-021-05214-8

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Inequality in place-of-death among children: a Danish nationwide study

Eur J Pediatr. 2021 Sep 4. doi: 10.1007/s00431-021-04250-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

To identify predictors for home death among children using socio-demographic factors and cause of death. It is a nationwide registry study. A cohort of children (1-17 years) who died between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2016. It was set in Denmark, Europe. Predictors for home death were assessed: age, gender, diagnosis, region of residence, urbanicity, household income and immigrant status. Of 938 deceased children included, causes of death were solid tumours (17.3%), haematological cancers (8.5%) and non-cancerous conditions (74.2%). A total of 25% died at home. Compared to the lowest quartile, the groups with higher household income did not have a higher probability of dying at home (adjusted odds ratio (adj-OR) 0.8 (95% CI 0.5-1.2/1.3)). Dying of haematological cancers (adj-OR 0.3 (95% CI 0.2-0.7)) and non-cancerous conditions (adj-OR 0.5 (95% CI 0.3-0.7)) was associated with lower odds for home death compared to dying of solid tumours. However, being an immigrant was negatively associated with home death (adj-OR 0.6 (95% CI 0.4-0.9)). Moreover, a tendency was also found that being older, male, living outside the capital and in more urban areas were notable in relation to home death, however, not statistically significant.Conclusions: The fact that household income was not associated with dying at home may be explained by the Danish tax-financed healthcare system. However, having haematological cancers, non-cancerous conditions or being an immigrant were associated with lower odds for home death. Cultural differences along with heterogeneous trajectories may partly explain these differences, which should be considered prospectively. What is Known: • Prior studies have shown disparities in place-of-death of terminally ill children with diagnosis, ethnicity and socio-economic position as key factors. • Danish healthcare is tax-financed and in principle access to healthcare is equal; however, disparities have been found in the intensity of treatment of terminally ill children. What is New: • In a tax-financed, equal-access healthcare system, children died just as frequently at home in families with low as high household income. • Disparities in home death were related to diagnosis and immigrant status.

PMID:34480639 | DOI:10.1007/s00431-021-04250-5

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Mammography self-evaluation online test for screening readers: an Italian Society of Medical Radiology (SIRM) initiative

Eur Radiol. 2021 Sep 4. doi: 10.1007/s00330-021-08241-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To report and analyse the characteristics and performance of the first cohort of Italian radiologists completing the national mammography self-evaluation online test established by the Italian Society of Medical Radiology (SIRM).

METHODS: A specifically-built dataset of 132 mammograms (24 with screen-detected cancers and 108 negative cases) was preliminarily tested on 48 radiologists to define pass thresholds (62% sensitivity and 86% specificity) and subsequently made available online to SIRM members during a 13-month timeframe between 2018 and 2019. Associations between participants’ characteristics, pass rates, and diagnostic accuracy were then investigated with descriptive statistics and univariate and multivariable regression analyses.

RESULTS: A total of 342 radiologists completed the test, 151/342 (44.2%) with success. All individual variables, except gender, showed a significant correlation with pass rates and diagnostic sensitivity, confirmed by univariate logistic regression, while only involvement in organised screening programs and number of mammograms read per year showed a positive association with specificity at univariate logistic regression. In the multivariable regression analysis, fewer variables remained significant: > 3000 mammograms read per year for success rate; female gender, public practice setting, and higher experience self-judgement for sensitivity; no variables were significantly associated with specificity.

CONCLUSIONS: This national self-evaluation test effectively differentiated multiple aspects of mammographic reading experience, but specific breast imaging experience was shown not to strictly guarantee good diagnostic accuracy. Due to its easy use and the validity of obtained results, this test could be extended to all Italian breast radiologists, regardless of their experience, also as a Breast Unit accreditation criterion.

KEY POINTS: • This self-evaluation test was found to be able to differentiate various degrees of mammographic interpretation experience. • Breast cancer screening readers should undergo a self-assessment test, since experience parameters alone do not guarantee diagnostic ability.

PMID:34480624 | DOI:10.1007/s00330-021-08241-w

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Long-term experience with a collagen-elastin scaffold in combination with split-thickness skin grafts for the treatment of full-thickness soft tissue defects: improvements in outcome-a retrospective cohort study and case report

Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2021 Sep 4. doi: 10.1007/s00423-021-02224-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The management of severe soft tissue injuries to the extremities with full-thickness wounds poses a challenge to the patient and surgeon. Dermal substitutes are used increasingly in these defects. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the type of injury on the success rate of Matriderm® (MD)-augmented split-thickness skin grafting, as well as the role of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in preconditioning of the wounds, with a special focus on the reduction of the bioburden.

METHODS: In this study, 45 wounds (44 affecting lower extremities (97.7%)), resulting from different types of injuries: soft tissue (ST), soft tissue complications from closed fracture (F), and open fracture (OF) in 43 patients (age 55.0 ± 18.2 years, 46.7% female), were treated with the simultaneous application of MD and split-thickness skin grafting. The study was designed as a retrospective cohort study from March 2013 to March 2020. Patients were stratified into three groups: ST, F, and OF. Outcome variables were defined as the recurrence of treated wound defects, which required revision surgery, and the reduction of bioburden in terms of reduction of number of different bacterial strains. For statistical analysis, Student’s t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Mann-Whitney U test, and Pearson’s chi-squared test were used.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the rate of recurrence in the different groups (F: 0%; OF: 11.1%; ST: 9.5%). The duration of VAC therapy significantly differed between the groups (F: 10.8 days; OF: 22.7 days; ST: 12.6 days (p < 0.05)). A clinically significant reduction of bioburden was achieved with NPWT (bacterial shift (mean (SD), F: – 2.25 (1.89); OF: – 1.9 (1.37); ST: – 2.6 (2.2)).

CONCLUSION: MD-augmented split-thickness skin grafting is an appropriate treatment option for full-thickness wounds with take rates of about 90%. The complexity of an injury significantly impacts the duration of the soft tissue treatment but does not have an influence on the take rate. NPWT leads to a relevant reduction of bioburden and is therefore an important part in the preconditioning of full-thickness wounds.

PMID:34480629 | DOI:10.1007/s00423-021-02224-7

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High expression of Toll-like receptor 7 is a survival factor in pediatric medulloblastoma

Childs Nerv Syst. 2021 Sep 4. doi: 10.1007/s00381-021-05347-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Medulloblastoma is an embryonal brain tumor that predominantly occurs in childhood with a wide histological and molecular variability. Our aim was to investigate the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), their association with the infiltration of immune cells and with the histological subgroups, and, also, with the overall survival of patients.

METHODS: Fifty-six paraffin-preserved biopsies from children with medulloblastoma of the classic, desmoplastic, and anaplastic subtypes were included. Microarrays of tissues were performed, and the infiltration of T and NK cells was quantified, as well as the expression of TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9. For all statistical analyses, significance was p < 0.05.

RESULTS: CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocytes and NK cells were found infiltrating the tumor. The infiltration of NK and CD4 + cells was greater in the classic and desmoplastic subtypes than in anaplastic. We found an important expression of TLRs in all medulloblastomas, but TLR7 and TLR8 were considerably higher in classic and desmoplastic subtypes than in anaplastic. Importantly, we observed that TLR7 was a prognostic factor for survival.

CONCLUSIONS: Medulloblastomas present cellular infiltration and a differential expression of TLRs depending on the histological subtype. TLR7 is a prognostic factor of survival that is dependent on treatment and age.

PMID:34480601 | DOI:10.1007/s00381-021-05347-w

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Correction to: Cisplatin-associated neuropathy characteristics compared with those associated with other neurotoxic chemotherapy agents (Alliance A151724)

Support Care Cancer. 2021 Sep 4. doi: 10.1007/s00520-021-06523-z. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:34480623 | DOI:10.1007/s00520-021-06523-z

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Patients with renal transplant and moderate-to-severe LUTS benefit from urodynamic evaluation and early transurethral resection of the prostate

World J Urol. 2021 Sep 4. doi: 10.1007/s00345-021-03799-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess long-term renal function and micturition pattern of males submitted to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) after renal transplantation (RT). To investigate the role of clinical and urodynamic (UD) parameters for bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) diagnosis in these patients.

METHODS: Retrospective data analysis of ≥ 50 years old patients who underwent RT between 01/2005 and 12/2016. Patients with moderate-to-severe LUTS after RT who underwent a urologic evaluation and a UD study were included. TURP was performed in case of BOO diagnosis. Kidney function and micturition patterns were evaluated before, 3, 12, 24, 36, and 48 months after TURP. Predictors of BOO were assessed at univariable and multivariable logistic regression models. Statistical analysis was performed with STATA16.

RESULTS: 233 male patients ≥ 50 years underwent RT. 71/233 (30%) patients developed voiding LUTS. 52/71 (73%) patients with moderate-to-severe LUTS underwent UD. TURP was performed in 36/52 (69%) patients, with BOO diagnosis. Median (interquartile range) follow-up was 108 (75-136) months. Maximum flow at flowmetry (Qmax), International Prostate Symptom Score and post-voided residual volume improved significantly after surgery. Serum creatinine decreased and glomerular filtration rate improved significantly at follow-up, especially when TURP was performed ≤ 6 months from RT. At the multivariable model, bladder capacity ≥ 300 mL (OR = 1.74, CI 95% 1.03-3.15, p = 0.043) and detrusor pressure at Qmax (OR = 2.05, CI 95% 1.48-3.02, p = 0.035) were the independent predictors of BOO.

CONCLUSION: RT patients with moderate-to-severe LUTS at risk for BOO and graft failure are better identified by UD than clinical parameters. Bladder capacity and voiding pressure are key for the early diagnosis of BOO.

PMID:34480590 | DOI:10.1007/s00345-021-03799-y