Tag: pubmed

Vet Anaesth Analg. 2024 Dec 30:S1467-2987(24)00420-3. doi: 10.1016/j.vaa.2024.12.008. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To develop an ultrasound-guided technique for intercostal nerve blocks in rabbit cadavers and to compare the success rate and potential complications of this technique to blind injection.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, blinded, descriptive experimental cadaveric study.

ANIMALS: A group of nine adult domestic rabbit cadavers (body mass 1.8-2.4 kg).

METHODS: Anatomic landmarks were identified by dissection of one cadaver and used to develop the ultrasound-guided technique. Eight cadavers were administered blind injections on one hemithorax and ultrasound-guided injections on the opposite hemithorax. The side used for each treatment was randomly assigned. For both techniques, the third to ninth intercostal nerves were targeted and 0.1 mL of yellow dye solution was injected per site. Medial displacement of the parietal pleura was assessed during ultrasound-guided injections. Rabbits were dissected following injection, and injections were considered successful if the circumference of the intercostal nerve was stained with dye. Additionally, the internal aspect of the parietal pleura was assessed for the presence of free dye to determine whether perforation of the parietal pleura had occurred. The number of stained nerves and incidence of pleural perforations were compared between injection techniques using Fisher’s exact test. Data were considered statistically different if p < 0.05.

RESULTS: A total of 56 blind and 56 ultrasound-guided intercostal injections were performed. Success rates of the blind and ultrasound-guided techniques were 35.7 % and 66.0 %, respectively (p = 0.002). The internal aspect of the pleura was stained in 23.2 % of blind and 21.4 % of ultrasound-guided injections, with no significant difference between groups (p > 0.999).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ultrasound guidance improves the accuracy of intercostal nerve injections when compared with a blind technique; however, pleural puncture is a common complication when performing intercostal injections with both techniques studied.

PMID:39818484 | DOI:10.1016/j.vaa.2024.12.008

Clin Colorectal Cancer. 2024 Dec 11:S1533-0028(24)00116-6. doi: 10.1016/j.clcc.2024.12.002. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) + bevacizumab compared to FTD/TPI for treatment of refractory metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) was demonstrated in the SUNLIGHT trial. This analysis of SUNLIGHT investigated the impact of treatment with FTD/TPI + bevacizumab on patient quality of life (QoL) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS).

METHODS: Questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-C30 and EQ-5D-5L) and ECOG PS assessments were conducted at baseline and on Day 1 of each treatment cycle. Time to definitive deterioration (TTDD) of QoL and time to ECOG PS worsening between treatment arms was assessed. A repeated-measures mixed-effects model was used to compare changes in QoL and ECOG PS from baseline. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods were used to assess TTDD of QoL, time to ECOG PS worsening to ≥ 2, and overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients maintaining an ECOG PS of 0-1.

RESULTS: Both treatment arms showed similar QoL scores from baseline to cycle 6, with no clinically relevant change over time. Patients receiving FTD/TPI + bevacizumab had a longer TTDD of QoL than patients receiving FTD/TPI, as well as longer time to ECOG PS worsening. In patients with maintained ECOG PS, median OS and PFS was prolonged in the FTD/TPI + bevacizumab arm compared to the FTD/TPI arm.

CONCLUSION: This analysis of SUNLIGHT showed that patients treated with FTD/TPI + bevacizumab had no clinically relevant changes in QoL, and prolonged TTDD and time to ECOG PS worsening, compared to patients treated with FTD/TPI.

PMID:39818468 | DOI:10.1016/j.clcc.2024.12.002

Urol Oncol. 2025 Jan 15:S1078-1439(24)01058-5. doi: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2024.12.277. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer treatment involves hormonal therapies that may carry cardiovascular risks, particularly for long-term use. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists, such as degarelix, may offer advantages over agonists, but comprehensive comparative cardiovascular outcomes are not well established. This study aimed to systematically review and analyze the cardiovascular safety profiles of degarelix compared to those of traditional GnRH agonists, providing critical insights for optimizing treatment strategies.

METHODS: We used Medline (PubMed), Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases to identify included studies using a preferred search strategy. All studies assessed the cardiovascular events profile between degarelix versus GnRH agonists were included in our study. We used the review manager version 5.4 to perform the analysis.

RESULTS: 13 studies (160,214 participants) were included in this meta-analysis. Degarelix was associated with a significantly lower incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events [RR: 0.60, 95%CI (0.41, 0.88), P value = .008]. Incidence of stroke [RR: 0.92, 95%CI (0.56, 1.50), P value= .74], hypertension [RR: 0.85, 95%CI (0.37, 1.93), P value= .69], myocardial infarction [RR: 0.82, 95%CI (0.55, 1.21), P value= .31], heart failure [RR: 0.88, 95%CI (0.63, 1.23), P value= .46] and arrhythmia [RR: 0.61, 95%CI (0.24, 1.54), P value= .30] did not reach a statistically significant difference between groups.

CONCLUSION: Degarelix demonstrates a lower incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events compared to GnRH agonists, suggesting a potential cardiovascular safety advantage in prostate cancer treatment. Further studies are required to prove the results of our systematic review and meta-analysis.

PMID:39818461 | DOI:10.1016/j.urolonc.2024.12.277

J Card Fail. 2025 Jan;31(1):178-179. doi: 10.1016/j.cardfail.2024.12.005.

ABSTRACT

Cardiology providers and healthcare clinicians tackling heart failure (HF) face an escalating challenge: rising prevalence rates and widening disparities among populations. In this context, leveraging up-to-date and specialized data becomes paramount. Although the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Heart and Stroke Statistics provides a sweeping overview of cardiovascular health with a few pages dedicated to HF and cardiomyopathy, the Heart Failure Society of America’s (HFSA) HF Stats annual publication offers an up-to-date and in-depth look at multiple themes related to HF epidemiology, global trends, outcomes and much more. This article highlights the unique benefits of HF Stats, why providers and clinicians should want to utilize the report and its dedicated website, HFStats.org, and how the report contents can enhance clinical practice, research, and patient care.

PMID:39818425 | DOI:10.1016/j.cardfail.2024.12.005

Vet J. 2025 Jan 14:106301. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2025.106301. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Canine mammary tumors (CMTs) are common tumors in female dogs (FDs), and at least nearly half of these lesions of malignant. We examined the epidemiology of CMTs in Japan using excisional biopsy cases (n = 7,802) collected from 2005 to 2023 in the Kyushu-Okinawa region. We investigated the prevalence, effects of breed, neutering, and age on CMT and malignant CMT (mCMT) risk through general statistics and multivariate analyses. The distribution of CMT histological types was also compared among different breeds and mixed breeds. In the Cohort (n = 6,197) consisting of cases from primary veterinary hospitals, the numbers of CMT and mCMT cases (2,928 and 822 cases, respectively) and the adjusted prevalence is ranged 4.76-8.09 per 1,000 dogs and increasing over time (P < 0.001). A multivariate model identified breeds with high or low risks of CMT or mCMT. Neutered FDs had lower risk of CMT than intact FDs (risk ratio = 0.57, 95%CI: 0.53-0.61). Compared to the age with the highest incidence, those aged ≥8 and ≥14 years had comparable rates of CMT and mCMT, respectively. Certain breeds exhibited biases regarding CMT histological types compared to mixed breeds. This first epidemiological analysis of CMT in Japan will be a valuable resource for CMT control.

PMID:39818359 | DOI:10.1016/j.tvjl.2025.106301

Environ Res. 2025 Jan 14:120860. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.120860. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The growing impact of climate change and escalating wildfire seasons has led to heightened ambient air pollution, potentially affecting children’s sleep health. However, current epidemiological research often relies on outdoor weather data to model the environmental impacts on sleep health, potentially mischaracterizing the actual bedroom environment. To address these challenges, we conducted experiments to investigate the relationships among ambient, indoor, and personal exposure to PM_2.5 concentrations and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children. We employed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to assess how personal exposures are influenced by factors such as air distribution design, supply air temperature (T_sa), body shape, and sleep position. Our statistical analysis revealed notable associations between OSA severity as measured by obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (OAHI) and indoor PM_2.5 concentrations (β: 11.52; 95% CI: 5.07 to 17.96; p < 0.01) and personal PM_2.5 exposures (β: 18.92; 95% CI: 9.80 to 28.04; p < 0.001), with personal exposure demonstrating a stronger relationship. Our findings highlighted the critical role of T_sa and body shape in exacerbating personal exposure, as they could modify the bedding microenvironment around children’s breathing zone during sleep. We assessed the effect of air filtration interventions on mitigating personal PM_2.5 exposure and modulating OSA severity in children. Higher air filter efficiencies such as MERV14 or above can modulate severe OSA for more than 80% of the year. However, during wildfire episodes, because air filtration interventions alone may be insufficient, comprehensive strategies, including the potential use of air cleaners and personal protective equipment (PPE), are necessary to ensure children’s health. Our research demonstrated that quantifying personal exposure is a more informative predictor than solely relying on ambient or indoor measures for estimating OSA in children.

PMID:39818351 | DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2025.120860

J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2025 Jan 14:106677. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2025.106677. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Vitiligo is a common chronic skin depigmentation disorder that seriously decreases the patients’ overall quality of life. Human blood metabolites could contribute to unraveling the underlying biological mechanisms of vitiligo. We used GWAS summary statistics to assess the causal association between genetically predicted 1,400 serum metabolites and vitiligo risk by Mendelian randomization (MR). Then, after constructing the mouse model of vitiligo, we did non-targeted metabolomics analysis on the mouse serum and validated MR’s pathway enrichment results ulteriorly. In the initial phase, MR analysis revealed causative associations between 36 metabolites and vitiligo risk, including 8 metabolite ratios and 28 individual metabolites (19 known and 9 unknown metabolites). In the validation stage, 7 metabolites were successfully validated. Of the 28 individual metabolites, most are related to lipid metabolism. Genetically predicted higher 4-oxo-retinoic acid showed the strongest protective effect on vitiligo, while the most potent risk effect was the increase in quinate. The metabolites associated with vitiligo risk are mainly enriched in alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, arginine biosynthesis and metabolism pathways, validated through the serum metabolomics of vitiligo mouse. By integrating genomics and metabolomics, this study provides new insights into the association between metabolites and vitiligo, highlighting the potential roles of specific metabolites in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. These metabolites associated with vitiligo could serve as new biomarkers, further research could help to reveal how these metabolites influence specific pathways in the development of vitiligo.

PMID:39818343 | DOI:10.1016/j.jsbmb.2025.106677

J Affect Disord. 2025 Jan 14:S0165-0327(25)00082-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.01.065. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A knowledge gap exists in understanding the role of social isolation as a determinant of mental health among hybrid employees during the COVID-19 era.

METHODS: Using 2024 Household Pulse Survey data, we investigated the relationship between social isolation and mental health among US hybrid employees. We assessed depression symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 and anxiety symptoms using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2. Social isolation was assessed using five items adapted from the Berkman-Syme Social Network Index. Covariates included age, race/ethnicity, gender identity, educational attainment, employment sector, household income, marital status, number of children, number of remote workdays, and region. Weighted multivariable logistic regression models estimated the adjusted associations between social isolation and mental health.

RESULTS: Compared to those in the less than once a week group, those who had a phone call with family, friends, or neighbors at frequencies of 1-2, 3-4, or 5+ times per week were significantly less likely to experience depression and anxiety symptoms. We observed similar statistically significant patterns when modeling each mental health outcome with weekly frequencies of social gatherings with friends or relatives, annual frequencies of church or religious service attendance, and annual frequencies of club or organization meeting attendance.

LIMITATIONS: Observed associations do not establish causality.

CONCLUSIONS: More frequent interpersonal communication, social gatherings, and attendance at organization meetings were significantly associated with better mental health. This empirical evidence provides meaningful insights for stakeholders, such as employers, human resources departments, psychiatrists, and hybrid employees.

PMID:39818332 | DOI:10.1016/j.jad.2025.01.065

J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord. 2025 Jan 14:102167. doi: 10.1016/j.jvsv.2025.102167. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to investigate the changes in plasma D-dimer levels during catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) in patients with acute lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT), analyze imaging results, and assess their clinical implications.

METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 62 patients diagnosed with acute lower extremity DVT who underwent CDT between March 2019 and December 2022. Plasma D-dimer levels were measured before CDT, at regular intervals after CDT, and at the end of CDT. Lower limb venography was performed every two days during CDT to assess the thrombus clearance rate and level of thrombus dissolution. Statistical analysis was conducted to observe the D-dimer concentration changes and analyze the correlation between D-dimer concentration and thrombus clearance rate. Additionally, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to determine the diagnostic performance of D-dimer in assessing the efficacy of thrombolysis, including the calculation of the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and optimal cut-off value.

RESULTS: During CDT for acute lower extremity DVT, plasma D-dimer levels rapidly increased, peaking on CDT day 1, and then gradually decreased, followed by a rapid decline but remained slightly elevated compared to normal levels. There was a positive correlation between D-dimer levels and thrombolysis efficacy (r = 0.809, P = 0.00). The linear regression equation for this correlation was Y = 0.161 + 0.028X. The AUC of D-dimer was 0.95, with a cut-off value of 9.935 mg/L (sensitivity 93.2% and specificity 95.4%).

CONCLUSION: Plasma D-dimer concentration can serve as an indicator for evaluating the efficacy of thrombolysis during CDT in acute lower extremity DVT.

PMID:39818303 | DOI:10.1016/j.jvsv.2025.102167

Spine J. 2025 Jan 14:S1529-9430(25)00020-8. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2024.12.029. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: There are a number of risk factors- from biological, psychological, and social domains- for non-specific chronic low back pain (cLBP). Many cLBP treatments target risk factors on the assumption that the targeted factor is not just associated with cLBP but is also a cause (i.e, a causal risk factor). In most cases this is a strong assumption, primarily due to the possibility of confounding variables. False assumptions about the causal relationships between risk factors and cLBP likely contribute to the generally marginal results from cLBP treatments.

PURPOSE: The objectives of this study were to a) using rigorous confounding control compare associations between modifiable causal risk factors identified by Mendelian randomization (MR) studies with associations in a cLBP population and b) estimate the association of these risk factors with cLBP outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Cross sectional analysis of a longitudinal, online, observational study.

PATIENT SAMPLE: 1,376 participants in BACKHOME, a longitudinal observational e-Cohort of U.S. adults with cLBP that is part of the NIH Back Pain Consortium (BACPAC) Research Program.

OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain, Enjoyment of Life, and General Activity (PEG) Scale.

METHODS: Five risk factors were selected based on evidence from MR randomization studies: sleep disturbance, depression, BMI, alcohol use, and smoking status. Confounders were identified using the ESC-DAG approach, a rigorous method for building directed acyclic graphs based on causal criteria. Strong evidence for confounding was found for age, female sex, education, relationship status, financial strain, anxiety, fear avoidance and catastrophizing. These variables were used to determine the adjustment sets for the primary analysis. Potential confounders with weaker evidence were used for a sensitivity analysis.

RESULTS: Participants had the following characteristics: age 54.9 ± 14.4 years, 67.4% female, 60% never smokers, 29.9% overweight, 39.5% obese, PROMIS sleep disturbance T-score 54.8 ± 8.0, PROMIS depression T-score 52.6 ± 10.1, Fear-avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire 11.6 ± 5.9, Patient Catastrophizing Scale 4.5 ± 2.6, PEG 4.4 ± 2.2. In the adjusted models, alcohol use, sleep disturbance, depression, and obesity were associated with PEG, after adjusting for confounding variables identified via a DAG constructed using a rigorous protocol. The adjusted effect estimates- the expected change in the PEG outcome for every standard deviation increase or decrease in the exposure (or category shift for categorical exposures) were the largest for sleep disturbance and obesity. Each SD increase in the PROMIS sleep disturbance T-score resulted in a mean 0.77 (95% CI: 0.66, 0.88) point increase in baseline PEG score. Compared to participants with normal BMI, adjusted mean PEG score was slightly higher by 0.37 points (95% CI: 0.09, 0.65) for overweight participants, about 0.8 to 0.9 points higher for those in obesity classes I and II, and 1.39 (95% CI: 0.98, 1.80) points higher for the most obese participants. Each SD increase in the PROMIS depression T-score was associated with a mean 0.28 (95% CI: 0.17, 0.40) point increase in baseline PEG score, while each SD decrease in number of alcoholic drinks per week resulted in a mean 0.12 (95% CI: 0.01, 0.23) increase in baseline PEG score in the adjusted model.

CONCLUSIONS: Several modifiable causal risk factors for cLBP – alcohol use, sleep disturbance, depression, and obesity- are associated with PEG, after adjusting for confounding variables identified via a DAG constructed using a rigorous protocol. Convergence of our findings for sleep disturbance, depression, and obesity with the results from MR studies, which have different designs and biases, strengthens the evidence for causal relationships between these risk factors and cLBP. The estimated effect of change in a risk factors on change in PEG were the largest for sleep disturbance and obesity. Future analyses will evaluate these relationships with longitudinal data.

PMID:39818276 | DOI:10.1016/j.spinee.2024.12.029