Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

The effect of demographic characteristics on the relationship between smoking and xerostomia: a cross sectional, case-control study

Epidemiol Health. 2021 Feb 28:e2021017. doi: 10.4178/epih.e2021017. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The effect of age, gender and other demographic factors on relationship between smoking and dry mouth remained unknown. The aim of this study was to measure the relationship between dry mouth and smoking specifically by considering demographic characteristics.

METHODS: In this case-control study, 5640 subjects who were randomly selected from 10000 participants of the second phase of Kerman coronary artery disease risk factors study (KERCADRS) during 2014-2018, were included. Demographic characteristics and smoking frequency in the participants were recorded by a checklist. Six-item Fox questionnaire was filled out by the participants to determine dry mouth as a dependent variable. The interaction terms of daily cigarette smoking with sex, age, educational level, and marital status were entered to the model and non-significant terms were removed by the hierarchical model selection.

RESULTS: It was revealed that 3429 (60.8%) of controls had not dry mouth and 2211 (39.2%) of cases had xerostomia. Statistical analysis revealed that smokers are more likely to have dry mouth in all ages and both sexes (p<0.001). As men get older, the chance of having dry mouth increases more rapidly among them than female smokers (p<0.001). In addition, female smokers have more chance to have dry mouth compared to male smokers (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION: Age, sex, and daily cigarette smoking affect the prevalence of dry mouth in the very complex way. Cigarette smoking was associated with more chance of having dry mouth especially in female smokers.

PMID:33677858 | DOI:10.4178/epih.e2021017

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Clinical features and prognosis of ETV6-RUNX1-positive childhood B-precursor acute lymphocyte leukemia

Zhonghua Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi. 2021 Jan 14;42(1):45-51. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0253-2727.2021.01.009.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the clinical features and prognosis of ETV6-RUNX1-positive childhood B-precursor acute lymphocyte leukemia (B-ALL) . Methods: The clinical data of 927 newly diagnosed children with B-ALL admitted to the Fujian Medical University Union Hospital from April 2011 to May 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the results of ETV6-RUNX1 gene, the patients were divided into ETV6-RUNX1(+) and ETV6-RUNX1(-) groups. The clinical features and prognosis between the two groups were compared. Among the 182 children with ETV6-RUNX1(+), 144 patients received the Chinese Childhood Leukemia Collaborative Group (CCLG) -ALL 2008 protocol (CCLG-ALL 2008 group) and 38 received the China Childhood Cancer Collaborative Group (CCCG) -ALL2015 protocol (CCCG-ALL 2015 group) . The efficacy, serious adverse effects (SAE) incidence, and treatment-related mortality (TRM) of the two groups were also compared. Results: Of the 927 B-ALL patients, 189 (20.4% ) were ETV6-RUNX1(+). The proportion of patients with risk factors (age ≥10 years or <1 year, white blood cell count ≥50×10(9)/L) in the ETV6-RUNX1(+) group was significantly lower than that in the ETV6-RUNX1(-) group (P=0.000, 0.001, respectively) , while the proportion of patients with good early response (good response to prednisone, d15 or d19 MRD <1% , and d33 or d46 MRD<0.01% in induction chemotherapy) in the ETV6-RUNX1(+) group was significantly higher than that in the ETV6-RUNX1(-) group (P=0.028, 0.004, respectively) . The 5-year EFS and OS of the ETV6-RUNX1(+) group were significantly higher than those of the ETV6-RUNX1(-) group (EFS: 89.8% vs 83.2% , P=0.003; OS: 90.2% vs 86.3% , P=0.030) . The incidence of infection-related SAE and TRM was significantly higher than that of CCCG-ALL 2015 group. A statistical difference was observed between the incidence of infection-related SAE of the two groups (27.1% vs 5.3% , P=0.004) , but no difference in TRM (4.9% vs 0, P=0.348) . Conclusion: ETV6-RUNX1(+)B-ALL children have fewer risk factors at diagnosis, better early response, lower recurrence rate, and good prognosis than that of ETV6-RUNX1(-)B-ALL children. Reducing the intensity of chemotherapy appropriately can lower the infection-related SAE and TRM and improve the long-term survival in this subtype.

PMID:33677868 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.issn.0253-2727.2021.01.009

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Expression of iron-regulating erythroid factors in different types of erythropoiesis disorders

Zhonghua Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi. 2021 Jan 14;42(1):52-57. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0253-2727.2021.01.010.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the expression of iron-regulating erythroid factors in different types of erythropoiesis disorders. Methods: From January 2016 to November 2019, the plasma concentrations of iron-regulating erythroid factors were measured by ELISA methods in 47 patients with different types of erythropoiesis disorders. The adaptation orientation of iron-regulating erythroid factor expression with bone marrow erythropoiesis activities (represented by bone marrow-nucleated erythrocytes ratio) was analyzed. Results: The median plasma growth differentiation factor (GDF) 15 levels in patients with polycythemia vera (PV) , pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) , autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) , and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) were 266.01 ng/L (112.40, 452.37) , 110.63 ng/L (81.41, 220.42) , 52.11 ng/L (32.61, 171.66) , and 276.53 (132.16, 525.70) ng/L, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in normal patients with 37.45 (19.65, 57.72) ng/L (all P < 0.01) . The plasma TWSG1 expression levels were not significantly different in patients with PV, PRCA, AIHA, and MDS from those of normal patients (P>0.05) . The median plasma GDF11 level in PV was 74.75 (10.95, 121.32) ng/L, which was significantly higher than 36.90 (3.38, 98.34) ng/L in normal control subjects (P<0.01) . However, no statistical differences were observed in the other three subjects (P>0.05) . The median plasma erythroferrone (ERFE) levels in AIHA and PV were 121.76 ng/L (68.12, 343.11) and 129.63 (47.02, 170.03) ng/L, respectively, with the highest level in AIHA in all the studied types of erythropoiesis disorders. The bone marrow-nucleated erythrocytes ratio was significantly and positively correlated with ERFE (r=0.458, P=0.001) but not with GDF15 (r=-0.163, P=0.274) , GDF11 (r=0.120, P=0.421) , and TWSG1 (r=-0.166, P=0.269) . Conclusion: The expression profile of iron-regulating erythroid factors is not exactly the same in different types of erythropoiesis disorders. ERFE demonstrated the highest correlation with erythropoiesis activities.

PMID:33677869 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.issn.0253-2727.2021.01.010

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Wireless ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy: Experience in clinical practice at European Institute of Oncology

Breast J. 2021 Mar 6. doi: 10.1111/tbj.14216. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In the last few years, ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (US-VABB) has replaced surgical biopsy due to higher diagnostic accuracy and lower patient discomfort, and, at present, an even greater possibility is represented by the new wireless ultrasound-guided VAB device (Wi-UVAB). The purpose of our study is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of this new device in a sizeable representative number of patients. From January 2014 to June 2018, 168 biopsies were performed in our institution using the new Wi-UVAB device. We analyzed sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy of biopsies obtained with the new device using surgical results as reference point, following patients for at least one year. In our cohort, we obtained a complete sensitivity of 97.5%, an absolute sensitivity of 94.3%, a complete specificity of 98%, and an absolute specificity of 98%. The positive predictive value of the procedure was 97.5% while the negative predictive value was 98%. The diagnostic accuracy was 98%. The Wi-UVAB is a safe procedure with high diagnostic accuracy, comparable to that of the traditional vacuum-assisted breast biopsy and even higher than that of core needle biopsy (CNB). Moreover, the Wi-UVAB is easy to use and shows low costs as core needle biopsy (CNB).

PMID:33677844 | DOI:10.1111/tbj.14216

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Comparison of fibrosis regression of entecavir alone or combined with pegylated interferon alpha2a in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Hepatol Int. 2021 Mar 7. doi: 10.1007/s12072-021-10162-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Antiviral treatment with necleos(t)ide analogues contributes to histological improvement and virologic response in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. However, whether adding pegylated interferon alpha2a (Peg-IFN-α-2a) can help additional clinical benefit, particularly on fibrosis regression was still unknown.

METHODS: Chronic hepatitis B patients with pre-treatment biopsy-proven Ishak fibrosis score 2, 3 or 4 were randomly assigned to entecavir (ETV) alone or ETV plus Peg-IFN-α-2a (Peg-IFN-α-2a add-on) group (1:2 ratio). Post-treatment liver biopsy was performed at week 78. Fibrosis regression was defined as decrease in Ishak fibrosis score by ≥ 1 stage or predominantly regressive categorized by P-I-R score. Serum HBV DNA levels were assessed at baseline and every 26 weeks, while HBsAg and HBeAg were evaluated at baseline and every 52 weeks.

RESULTS: A total of 218 treatment-naive CHB patients were randomly assigned to ETV alone or Peg-IFN-α-2a add-on group. Totals of 155 patients (ETV alone: Peg-IFN-α-2a add-on, 47:108) were included in statistical analysis. Fibrosis regression rates were 68% (32/47) in the ETV alone and 56% (60/108) in Peg-IFN-α-2a add-on group (p = 0.144). Both groups showed a similar trend of virological suppression during the process of 104-week antiviral therapy (p = 0.132). HBeAg or HBsAg loss or seroconversion rates in the ETV alone group were lower than Peg-IFN-α-2a add-on group though without statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS: Peg-IFN-α-2a add-on therapy did not yield additional fibrosis regression and virologic response than ETV alone therapy.

PMID:33677771 | DOI:10.1007/s12072-021-10162-1

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Examining the effect of obesity-associated gene variants on breast cancer survivors in a randomized weight loss intervention

Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2021 Mar 6. doi: 10.1007/s10549-021-06151-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Our study examined whether common variants of obesity-associated genes FTO, MC4R, BDNF, and CREB1 moderated the effects of a lifestyle intervention on weight change among breast cancer survivors.

METHODS: 151 breast cancer survivors with a body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2 were randomly assigned to a 6-month weight loss intervention or usual care group. Genotyping of FTO rs9939609, MC4R rs6567160, BDNF rs11030104, CREB1 rs17203016 was performed. Linear mixed models were used including the main effects of genotype (assuming a dominant genetic model), treatment arm on weight and percent body fat changes, and genotype by treatment interaction variable. All statistical tests were evaluated against a Bonferroni-corrected alpha of 0.0125.

RESULTS: Women in the intervention group achieved significantly greater weight loss than the usual care group (5.9% vs 0.4%, p < 0.001), regardless of genotype. Changes in weight and percent body fat did not differ significantly between carriers of the FTO rs9939609, MC4R rs6567160, BDNF rs11030104, and CREB1 rs17203016 risk alleles compared to non-carriers (p-interaction > 0.0125 for each single-nucleotide polymorphisms).

CONCLUSIONS: Women who are genetically predisposed to obesity and recently diagnosed with breast cancer may achieve significant and clinically meaningful weight loss through healthy eating and exercise.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02863887 (Date of Registration: August 11, 2016); NCT02110641 (Date of Registration: April 10, 2014).

PMID:33677781 | DOI:10.1007/s10549-021-06151-5

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Assessing liver stiffness with conventional cut-off values overestimates liver fibrosis staging in patients who received the Fontan procedure

Hepatol Res. 2021 Mar 6. doi: 10.1111/hepr.13627. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Patients who undergo the Fontan procedure for complex congenital heart disease are prone to liver cirrhosis. Liver stiffness (LS) reflects liver fibrosis stage in patients with chronic viral hepatitis; however, its accuracy in predicting liver fibrosis stage in Fontan patients is controversial. We aimed to clarify the correlation between LS and liver fibrosis stage in Fontan patients.

METHODS: Fifty-eight Fontan patients were prospectively measured for LS with transient elastography. We undertook liver biopsy, cardiac catheterization, and laboratory tests in 22 of these patients (median age, 14.7 years; range, 9.9-32.1 years) with LS > 11.0 kPa (median, 19.2 kPa; range, 12.2-39.8 kPa); these elevated LS values suggest liver cirrhosis.

RESULTS: Histologically, all patients showed mild-to-severe portal and sinusoidal fibrosis but no cirrhosis. Statistically, LS did not predict histological liver fibrosis scores (p = 0.175). Liver stiffness was not correlated with central venous pressure (p = 0.456) or with the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG; p = 0.062), although the p value for HVPG was only slightly above the threshold for significance.

CONCLUSIONS: Fontan patients are prone to developing both portal and sinusoidal fibrosis. Liver stiffness could be influenced by HVPG, and using the conventional cut-off values for LS overestimates and overtreats liver fibrosis in these patients.

PMID:33677839 | DOI:10.1111/hepr.13627

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Effect of perioperative pain neuroscience education in patients with post-mastectomy persistent pain: a retrospective, propensity score-matched study

Support Care Cancer. 2021 Mar 6. doi: 10.1007/s00520-021-06103-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Central sensitization (CS)-related symptoms and pain catastrophizing contribute to persistent post-mastectomy pain (PPMP). Pain neuroscience education (PNE) is effective in reducing CS-related symptoms and pain catastrophizing in patients with chronic pain. However, to date, no intervention study of PNE has been conducted to patients with PPMP. This study was aimed to examine whether PNE is more effective than biomedical education (BME) for PPMP.

METHODS: In this retrospective case-control study, 118 patients were included. We intervened different patients at different times as follows: (1) a BME group (n = 58) of patients who received BME combined with physiotherapy and (2) a PNE group (n = 60) of patients who received PNE combined with physiotherapy. One year after surgery, we assessed pain intensity and interference (brief pain inventory [BPI]), CS-related symptoms (central sensitization inventory [CSI]), and pain catastrophizing (pain catastrophizing scale [PCS]). Propensity score matching was used to reduce or minimize selection bias and confounding biases and to make the number of cases in both groups match 1:1.

RESULTS: Propensity score matching generated the BME group (n = 51) and the PNE group (n = 51). The BPI score, CSI score, and PCS score were statistically significantly lower in the PNE group than in the BME group (all, p < 0.05). The effect sizes for the BPI intensity (r = 0.31) were moderate.

CONCLUSIONS: PNE resulted in a better outcome of pain management with less functional disability and CS-related symptoms compared to BME after breast surgery.

PMID:33677717 | DOI:10.1007/s00520-021-06103-1

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Stereoscopic virtual reality does not improve knowledge acquisition of congenital heart disease

Int J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2021 Mar 7. doi: 10.1007/s10554-021-02191-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Advances in virtual reality have made it possible for clinicians and trainees to interact with 3D renderings of hearts with congenital heart disease in 3D stereoscopic vision. No study to date has assessed whether this technology improved instruction compared to standard 2D interfaces. The purpose of this study was to assess whether stereoscopic virtual reality improves congenital heart disease anatomy education. Subjects in a prospective, blinded, randomized trial completed a pre-test assessing factual and visuospatial knowledge of common atrioventricular canal and were randomized to an intervention or control group based on their score. The intervention group used a 3D virtual reality (VR) headset to visualize a lecture with 3D heart models while the control group used a desktop (DT) computer interface with the same models. Subjects took a post-test and provided subjective feedback. 51 subjects were enrolled, 24 in the VR group & 27 in the DT group. The median score difference for VR subjects was 12 (IQR 9-13.3), compared to 10 (IQR 7.5-12) in the DT group. No difference in score improvement was found (p = 0.11). VR subjects’ impression of the ease of use of their interface was higher than DT subjects (median 8 vs 7, respectively, p = 0.01). VR subjects’ impression of their understanding of the subject matter was higher than desktop subjects (median 7 vs 5, respectively, p = 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in the knowledge acquisition observed between the stereoscopic virtual reality group and the monoscopic desktop-based group. Participants in virtual reality reported a better learning experience and self-assessment suggesting virtual reality may increase learner engagement in understanding congenital heart disease.

PMID:33677745 | DOI:10.1007/s10554-021-02191-6

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Reproductive outcomes after preimplantation genetic testing in mosaic Turner syndrome: a retrospective cohort study of 100 cycles

J Assist Reprod Genet. 2021 Mar 6. doi: 10.1007/s10815-021-02127-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to explore the reproductive outcomes of women with Turner syndrome (TS) in preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) cycles.

METHODS: A retrospective study of 100 controlled ovarian stimulating cycles, 68 TS (sixty-four mosaic Turner syndrome (MTS) and four pure Turner syndrome (PTS)) women underwent PGT was conducted from 2013 to 2018.

RESULTS: Embryo X chromosome abnormal rates of TS women were significantly higher than women with normal karyotype (7.04 vs 1.61%, P<0.01). Cumulative live birth rates (CLBR) after PGT-NGS treatment were lower in TS than control (31.15 vs 45.59%, P<0.05). Clinical pregnancy rates per transfer (CPR), miscarriage rates (MR) and live birth rates per transfer (LBR) remained comparable between TS and control group. Reproductive outcomes (X chromosome abnormal rates, CPR, MR, LBR and CLBR) among low (<10%), medium (10-50%) and high (>50%) level 45,X mosaicism groups were not statistically different.

CONCLUSIONS: To avoid high risk of embryo X chromosome abnormalities, prenatal or preimplantation genetic testing should be recommended to mosaic or pure TS patients.

PMID:33677746 | DOI:10.1007/s10815-021-02127-y