Tag: statistics

J Cancer Res Ther. 2023 Aug;19(4):988-994. doi: 10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_2060_22.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: The present experimental models of cystic diseases are not adequate and require further investigation.

AIM: In this study, a new way of producing a tissue-mimicking model of cysts and cystic neoplasms was evaluated.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN: To simulate cysts and cystic neoplasms, ex vivo rabbit normal bladders and VX2-implanted tumor bladders were produced, fixed, and embedded in agarose gel.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: The samples were classified into four groups based on tumor features and the maximal transverse diameter of the rabbit bladder, which were assessed using computer tomography (CT) imaging and statistically analyzed.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The t-test was used for analyzing enumeration data.

RESULTS: Twenty-one rabbit bladders (21/24) were successfully removed and prepped for this experiment, comprising eleven normal bladders (11/24) and ten implanted with VX2 tumors (10/24). The gelling ingredient used to form the visualization and fixation matrix was agarose at a concentration of 4 g/200 mL. The temperature of the agarose solution was kept constant at 40-45°C, which is the optimal temperature range for ex vivo normal bladder and implanted VX2 tumor bladder insertion. The average time required to embed and fix the bladders in agarose gel was 45.0 ± 5.2 minutes per instance. The gel-fixing matrix’s strength and light transmittance were enough for building the models.

CONCLUSION: We created an experimental tissue-mimicking model of cysts and cystic neoplasms with stable physicochemical features, a safe manufacturing method, and high repeatability. These models may be used to assist with cystic lesion diagnosis and treatment techniques.

PMID:37675727 | DOI:10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_2060_22

J Cancer Res Ther. 2023 Aug;19(4):972-977. doi: 10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_2193_22.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: The purpose of this study was to assess computed tomography (CT)-guided puncture biopsy of pulmonary nodules at a high risk of bleeding. First, a coaxial trocar technique was used to radiofrequency ablate small blood vessels in the puncture area, followed by a biopsy of the pulmonary nodule.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of this procedure.

METHODS: In this retrospective research, we assessed the relevant data of 45 patients who had undergone needle biopsy of pulmonary nodules at a high risk of bleeding. Twenty-five of these patients had CT-guided coaxial radiofrequency ablation (RFA)-assisted biopsy (group A). The remaining 20 had undergone conventional CT-guided needle biopsy (group B). We equated the technical success rate and the incidence of complications such as bleeding, pneumothorax, and pain in the two groups of needle biopsies.

RESULTS: Both groups had a 100% success rate with puncture biopsy. The incidences of pneumothorax in groups A and B were 10% (2/20) and 24% (6/25), respectively; this difference is not significant (P > 0.050). The rates of bleeding in groups A and B were 10% (2/20) and 44% (11/25), respectively, and the rates of pain were 30% (6/20) and 60% (15/25), both of which were statistically significant (P = 0.030; P = 0.045, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: CT-guided coaxial trocar technique for RFA-assisted biopsy of pulmonary nodules at a high risk of bleeding is effective and safe and can significantly reduce the risk of biopsy-induced pulmonary hemorrhage.

PMID:37675725 | DOI:10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_2193_22

J Cancer Res Ther. 2023 Aug;19(4):924-932. doi: 10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_2296_22.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To examine post-operative progression and risk impact of insufficient radiofrequency ablation (RFA) following transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for the prognosis of large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2014 to January 2021 were analyzed. A total of 343 patients with large HCC (diameter >5 cm) who received TACE combined with RFA were enrolled and were divided into two groups: complete ablation (CA, n = 172) and insufficient ablation (IA, n = 171). Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were determined by the Kaplan-Meier curve and compared with the log-rank test. To find parameters influencing OS and PFS, clinicopathological variables underwent univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS: The cumulative 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS and PFS rates of the CA group were significantly higher than that of the IA group (P < 0.001). 25 (41%) patients in local tumor progression (LTP), 36 (59%) in intrahepatic distant recurrence (IDR), and 0 (0%) in extrahepatic distant recurrence (EDR) in the CA group. 51 (32.1%) patients in LTP, 96 (60.4%) patients in IDR, and 12 (7.5%) cases in EDR in the IA group. The recurrence patterns of the two groups were statistically significant difference (P = 0.039). In multivariate analysis, inadequate ablation and conjunction with TKIs were both significant risk factors for OS and PFS. Apart from these, older age and >7 cm of tumor size were indicators of poor OS and multiple tumors were indicators of poor PFS.

CONCLUSION: Insufficient ablation causes a poor survival outcome of TACE combined with RFA for large HCC, particularly, which can promote IDR.

PMID:37675718 | DOI:10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_2296_22

J Cancer Res Ther. 2023 Aug;19(4):904-909. doi: 10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_1290_22.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: To compare the diagnostic efficacy and safety of CT-guided percutaneous core needle biopsy (CNB) and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) for pancreatic lesions.

METHODS AND MATERIAL: A total of 176 patients with 176 pancreatic lesions who visited our hospital between January 2016 and March 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into three groups: FNA group A (<1.5 cm between the lesion and great vessels necessitating FNA), FNA group B, and CNB (the latter two with ≥1.5 cm between the lesion and great vessels necessitating FNA). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, accuracy, and postoperative. The statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 17.0.

RESULTS: One hundred and seventy six patient’s specimens all met the requirements. There were no statistically significant differences in sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy between the CNB group and FNA group B, (P > 0.05). Thirteen samples submitted for genetic testing (5 in CNB group, 4 in each of the FNA groups A and B) all met the standards of next-generation sequencing gene detection. The main complications of these groups included abdominal pain, fever, and hyperamylasemia.

CONCLUSIONS: CT-guided percutaneous FNA and CNB have similar diagnostic efficacy for pancreatic biopsy. Furthermore, FNA has a wide range of puncture indications and is very safe. Like CNB, the obtained tissue through FNA can be genetically tested to guide clinical treatment.

PMID:37675715 | DOI:10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_1290_22

J Cancer Res Ther. 2023 Aug;19(4):898-903. doi: 10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_1098_21.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: Testis-specific protein Y-encoded-like 5 (TSPYL5) suppresses several cancers in vivo, including colorectal cancer (CRC); however, its mechanism and role in CRC cell tumorigenesis in vivo remain unknown.

AIMS: To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of colorectal cancer and find new therapeutic targets to improve CRC patient outcomes.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Male mice (4 weeks old, 16-22 g) were housed in sterile cages in a temperature-controlled room (20-25°C) with a 12 h light/dark cycle and ad libitum food and water.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: TSPYL5 overexpressing or non-overexpressing HCT116 cells were used to create a nude mouse tumor model. Tumor tissue was evaluated histologically after hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining. TUNEL staining assessed tumor cell apoptosis. Ki67 expression in excised tumor tissue was measured by immunohistochemistry. Western blotting examined double-stranded break (DBS)-associated protein expression in vivo.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21.0 was used for all analyses (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). At least three independent experiments yield a mean value ± standard deviation. Unpaired Student’s t-tests compared groups. One-way analysis of variance and Dunnett’s test were used to compare groups with a P value < 0.5.

RESULTS: TSPYL5 overexpression inhibited CRC cell tumorigenicity and damaged tumor cells in vivo. TSPYL5 overexpression also significantly increased Bax and p-H2AX (early double-stranded break indicators) and decreased Ki67, Bcl-2, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor expression.

CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, TSPYL5 overexpression inhibited the tumorigenicity of CRC cells in vivo by inducing DNA damage.

PMID:37675714 | DOI:10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_1098_21

Niger Postgrad Med J. 2023 Jul-Sep;30(3):250-257. doi: 10.4103/npmj.npmj_121_23.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to detect the impact of politics, security and health on the escalation of road traffic accidents (RTAs) and their consequences in Iraq for the period 2015-2020.

METHODOLOGY: The data of this cross-sectional study were obtained from the annual reports of RTA statistics from the Central Statistical Organisation of the Iraqi Ministry of Planning. The statistical analysis of data was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences.

RESULTS: In this study, it was noted that the rate of RTAs, injuries and deaths increased from 16% to 19.5%, from 16.5% to 17.3% and from 16.2% to 20%, respectively, for the years 2015-2019, while the rates of RTAs, injuries and deaths in 2020 recorded a clear decrease compared to the rest of the years under study, and the rates were as follows: 14.8%, 14.4% and 14.1%, respectively. According to the types of traffic accidents, the rate of crashes recorded the highest rate of 51% in all years of the study compared to the run over, overturn and other unclassified accidents, which were 37%, 10% and 2%, respectively, and it was revealed that crashes, run over and other unclassified incidents increased from 5% to 20%, from 17% to 19% and from 18% to 26%, respectively, for the years 2015-2019, whereas all types of RTAs in 2020 were recorded the lowest rates compared to other years under study. Al-Basra, Baghdad, Al-Najaf and Babylon were recorded the highest rates of traffic accidents for the 6 years under study, with a rate of 13.3%, 11.7%, 11.1% and 10.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Although traffic accidents were not recorded in the years 2015, 2016 and 2017 for the governorates of Nineveh and Anbar due to the occupation of the terrorist Islamic State, traffic accidents maintained their levels due to internal migration. It was also noted that the rate of road accidents was the highest in 2019 compared to the years under study due to the liberation of occupied cities, the return of safety and the return of recording accident data again, while the year 2020 recorded a clear decrease in the rate of road accidents, especially in the first half of it due to the October protests that led to the suspension of all government institutions, universities and schools. The second reason for the decrease in the second half of 2020 is attributed to the lockdown of corona. It seems that the political, security, military and health factors have an effective impact on the traffic reality.

PMID:37675702 | DOI:10.4103/npmj.npmj_121_23

Niger Postgrad Med J. 2023 Jul-Sep;30(3):240-249. doi: 10.4103/npmj.npmj_99_23.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The long-term use of topical anti-glaucoma medications is often associated with ocular surface toxicity that can affect the patient’s drug compliance and quality of life. This study assessed the effect of these medications, using cytological changes of the conjunctiva and ocular surface symptoms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a clinic-based, case-control study that was conducted at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital that compared glaucoma patients on topical medications with age-sex-matched controls. The controls were non-glaucoma patients, who were not on any topical ocular medications at least 6 months prior to the study. The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire was used to assess ocular surface symptoms. Schirmer’s I test, tear film break-up time (TBUT) test and corneal fluorescein staining of the ocular surface were used for ocular surface disease (OSD) assessment and conjunctival impression cytology (CIC) for histological assessment and grading.

RESULTS: Six hundred and ninety-six eyes of 348 respondents, 174 cases and 174 controls, were assessed for OSD. The mean ages of the case and control groups were 56.3 ± 12.9 years and 55.5 ± 13.2 years, respectively, with no statistical difference (P = 0.589). All ocular parameters assessed were significantly abnormal in the case group compared to the control group. The use of topical anti-glaucoma medications was significantly associated with abnormal TBUT (P < 0.001), Schirmer’s test (P < 0.001), ocular surface staining (P < 0.001), CIC (P < 0.001) and OSDI scores (P = 0.001). A significant association was seen between abnormal TBUT and the number of medications (P = 0.044, odds ratio [OR] =0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.44-1.14), between abnormal ocular surface staining and duration of anti-glaucoma medications usage (P = 0.0104, OR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.04-1.43) and between abnormal CIC and the duration of anti-glaucoma medications (P = 0.0007, OR = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.59-0.86).

CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that prolonged use of topical anti-glaucoma medications may be associated with damage to the ocular surface structures.

PMID:37675701 | DOI:10.4103/npmj.npmj_99_23

Niger Postgrad Med J. 2023 Jul-Sep;30(3):232-239. doi: 10.4103/npmj.npmj_50_23.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: The undiagnosed and untreated tuberculosis (TB) cases underpin the experience of accelerating deaths. Everyone should be engaged in managing TB patients to revert the current trend.

AIMS: In this context, we assessed the outcome of an education intervention on the knowledge of TB and referral practice of presumptive TB cases to directly observed therapy strategy amongst patent medicine vendors (PMVs).

SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study was quasi-experimental, conducted amongst 647 PMVs in Delta State, Nigeria.

METHODS: A structured questionnaire was administered to obtain baseline data on knowledge of TB. An educational intervention on knowledge of TB was then given. A post-intervention assessment of TB knowledge was subsequently conducted using the same questionnaire. The exact number of referrals of presumptive TB cases by PMVs and the number that tested positive amongst the referred presumptive TB cases, 3 months before and after the training were obtained from the state TB database.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: SPSS v. 26 was used for data analysis.

RESULTS: The pre-training knowledge average score was 15.45 ± 6.45, while the post-training average score was 19.44 ± 7.03 (P < 0.001). The pre-training average number of presumptive cases referred was 146 ± 124.7, and the post-training was 205.67 ± 255.4, P = 0.41. The pre-training average number of cases that turned out positive was 9.5 ± 6.3, and the post-training was 13.5 ± 11.3, P = 0.42.

CONCLUSION: There was a significant improvement in PMVs’ knowledge of TB post-intervention. However, while an increase in the number of cases referred and positives detected was observed, this was not significant. Periodic training and updates to PMVs in keeping with current trends and best practices in TB management are recommended.

PMID:37675700 | DOI:10.4103/npmj.npmj_50_23

Niger Postgrad Med J. 2023 Jul-Sep;30(3):226-231. doi: 10.4103/npmj.npmj_83_23.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Health promotion (HP) is a part of the general practitioners’ (GPs) competencies defined by the World Organization of Family Doctors. The implementation of HP in their practice is unsatisfactory.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to explore GPs knowledge, attitudes and practices in Morocco about HP at the primary healthcare services.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online self-administrated questionnaire including, knowledge, attitudes and practices of GPs toward HP. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted.

RESULTS: Two hundred and forty GPs responded to our questionnaires, the sex ratio was 1.12 with an average age of 40.46 ± 9.05 years. More than half of our participants perceived HP as a concept indistinct from prevention, 70.4% believed that HP refers to the biomedical model. On a Likert scale of 1-5, the level of HP knowledge was 2.71 ± 1.13. The most discussed topics with the population were tobacco, alcohol, overweight and obesity. Statistically significant association was found between the competencies of GPs in lifestyle behaviours and the practice of this competence.

CONCLUSION: The knowledge of GPs remains insufficient, and their practices focus more on the areas in which they feel competent, which requires the implementation of specific training for the development of GPs skills in HP.

PMID:37675699 | DOI:10.4103/npmj.npmj_83_23

Niger Postgrad Med J. 2023 Jul-Sep;30(3):218-225. doi: 10.4103/npmj.npmj_39_23.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Varicocele is a treatable aetiology of male infertility. Magnification with surgical loupe has been associated with improved outcome and reduced morbidity than the conventional technique without magnification.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of two techniques of subinguinal varicocelectomy, with a surgical loupe and without.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective randomised hospital-based study. Forty-six patients were randomised to two arms – Group A: loupe-assisted subinguinal varicocelectomy (LASV) and Group B: open subinguinal varicocelectomy without Loupe (OSV). They all had their semen and hormonal parameters compared preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Post-operative complications were also assessed. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: The mean age was 38.28 ± 4.55 years with a range of 27-46 years. The mean age in Group A was 37.35 ± 4.68 and 39.22 ± 4.33 years in Group B. There was an improvement in motility, sperm count and concentration in both the groups at 3 and 6 months (P < 0.05). However, there was no difference in these parameters on comparison of the two groups at 3 and 6 months (P > 0.05). Follicle-stimulating hormone decline was significant in the OSV group at 3 and 6 months, P = 0.010 and 0.021, respectively. There was no difference in other hormonal parameters both at 3 and 6 months (P > 0.05). The pregnancy rate in each arm of study was 4.3%. All complications occurred in Group B.

CONCLUSION: Both techniques resulted in improvement in seminal fluid parameters. All complications occurred in the arm that had subinguinal varicocelectomy without loupe. Loupe-assisted subinguinal varicocelectomy is safe and effective.

PMID:37675698 | DOI:10.4103/npmj.npmj_39_23