Factores pronósticos de metástasis ósea en pacientes con cáncer de próstata / Predictive factors for bone metastasis in patients with prostate cancer i: en

El adenocarcinoma de próstata es considerado una de las neoplasias más frecuentes en hombres mayores de 60 años, y su metástasis ósea constituye una de las complicaciones de peor pronóstico. Objetivo: Estimar los factores pronósticos de metástasis ósea en pacientes con cáncer de próstata. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio analítico de 73 pacientes con cáncer de próstata, asistidos en el Hospital Oncológico Conrado Benítez de Santiago de Cuba en el período 2018-2022. Entre las variables analizadas figuraron: edad, color de la piel, manifestaciones clínicas, tiempo de aparición de la metástasis ósea, grado de diferenciación celular, nivel de antígeno prostático específico y diagnóstico imagenológico. Resultados: En la serie predominó el grupo etario de 60-69 años (50,7 %) y el promedio de edad fue de 67 años; asimismo, prevalecieron los pacientes de piel negra, el dolor óseo como síntoma más frecuente y el diagnóstico imagenológico de metástasis ósea por tomografía axial computarizada (48,0 %). Se observó un aumento proporcional de los valores del antígeno prostático específico y de la puntuación de Gleason en relación con la aparición de metástasis. Conclusiones: Los factores pronósticos que permiten estimar la presencia de metástasis ósea en pacientes con cáncer de próstata son la edad avanzada, el color negro de la piel y los valores de antígeno prostático específico por encima de 20 ng/mL.

Prostate adenocarcinoma is considered one of the most frequent neoplasms in men over 60 years, and bone metastasis constitutes one of the complications with the worst prognosis. Objective: Estimate the predictive factors for bone metastasis in patients with prostate cancer. Methods: An analytic study of 73 patients with prostate cancer was carried out. They were assisted at Conrado Benítez Cancer Hospital in Santiago de Cuba during 2018-2022. The variables analyzed included: age, skin color, clinical manifestations, onset time of bone metastasis, degree of cellular differentiation, prostate-specific antigen level and imaging diagnosis. Results: In the series there was a prevalence of the 60-69 age group (50.7%) and the average age was 67 years; also, dark skinned patients, bone pain as more frequent symptom and imaging diagnosis of bone metastasis by computerized axial tomography prevailed (48.0%). A proportional increase of prostate-specific antigen values and Gleason punctuation was observed in relation to the metastasis onset. Conclusions: The predictive factors for estimating the presence of bone metastasis in patients with prostate cancer are the advanced age, black skin color and prostate-specific antigen values above 20 ng/mL.

Predictive factors and risk analysis of recurrent laryngeal nerve invasion in papillary thyroid carcinoma ≤ 1 cm

ABSTRACT Objective: The recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) may be involved by papillary thyroid carcinoma ≤ 1 centimeter (PTC ≤ 1 cm). Current study investigated the predictive factors of RLN invasion in PTC ≤ 1 cm, the risk factors of disease recurrence in RLN invaded cases and the results of surgical management for RLN invasion. Materials and methods: Data of 374 PTC ≤ 1 cm patients were retrospectively collected. We performed univariate and multivariate analysis to identify predictive factors of RLN invasion and risk factors of disease recurrence. The abilities of factors in predicting RLN invasion were evaluated. Surgical outcomes and recurrence free survival (RFS) of patients were analyzed. Results: A total of 28 patients suffered RLN invasion, among which seven had disease recurrence. Preoperative vocal cord palsy (VCP), gross extrathyroidal extension, larger tumor size and tumor on the dorsal side of thyroid were verified as predictive factors of RLN invasion. RLN involved patients had poorer RFS, but better than those who also had upper-aerodigestive tract invasion. Upper-aerodigestive tract invasion, lateral neck lymph nodes metastasis (LNM) and BRAF V600E mutation were independent risk factors of disease recurrence in RLN invaded cases. Tumor shaving showed better RLN function preservation without increasing recurrent risk. Conclusions: Current study confirmed the rarity of RLN invasion in PTC ≤ 1 cm. Various aggressive features were verified as predictive factors of RLN invasion. Tumor shaving showed superiority in preserving nerve function without increasing recurrent risk. Special attentions should be paid for disease recurrence when RLN invasion accompanied by upper-aerodigestive tract invasion, lateral neck LNM or BRAF V600E mutation.

Construction of predictive model for pregnancy-related anxiety risk in pregnant women based on LASSO regression / 环境与职业医学

Background Pregnancy-related anxiety has a negative impact on the physical and mental health of pregnant women and the normal growth and development of the fetus. Establishing prediction models for pregnancy-related anxiety to screen associated predictive factors may provide important opportunities for prenatal intervention. Objective To establish a prediction model of pregnancy-related anxiety risk of pregnant women. Methods From January to July 2021, a questionnaire survey on pregnancy-related anxiety and predictors was conducted among pregnant women having routine prenatal check-ups provided by an obstetrics clinic of a tertiary grade A hospital in Ningxia. The socio-demographic characteristics of the subjects were collected, and the pregnant women were evaluated by the Life Event Scale (LES), Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), Family APGAR Index (APGAR), and Pregnancy-related Anxiety Questionnaire (PAQ). R 4.2.0 software was used to fit all selected variables by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression to identify predictors of pregnancy-related anxiety in the second and third trimesters. On the basis of logistic regression analysis, prediction models of pregnancy-related anxiety in the second and third trimesters were constructed, and the model nomogram and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) were drawn. The prediction effect of the model was evaluated by area under the curve (AUC). A calibration chart was drawn to evaluate the calibration of the model. Results A total of 1500 questionnaires were distributed, and 1448 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective rate of 96.53%. Among the 1448 pregnant women, the overall positive rate of pregnancy-related anxiety was 28.80% (417/1448), and the positive rates in the second and third trimesters were 29.21% (276/935) and 27.49% (141/513), respectively. The predictors entering the the second trimester model were age of marriage, family care, social support, family expectations for the fetus, physical condition during pregnancy, and whether experiencing life stressful events during pregnancy. The predictors entering the the third trimester model were pregnancy intention, physical discomfort, and whether experiencing life stress during pregnancy. A risk prediction model of pregnancy-related anxiety for the second trimester was established: risk of pregnancy-related anxiety=−0.07× marriage age +0.12× family care −0.03× social support −0.65× family expectation of fetal sex +0.42× physical condition during pregnancy +0.47× whether experiencing life stressful events during pregnancy. A risk prediction model of pregnancy-related anxiety for the third trimester was established: risk of pregnancy-related anxiety=−5.69+0.82× pregnancy intention +1.06× physical discomfort +0.94× whether experiencing life stressful events during pregnancy. The ROC curves of the two models were drawn. The AUC of the second trimester model was 0.71, and the AUC of related validation model was 0.68. The AUC of the third trimester model was 0.72, and the AUC of related validation model was 0.66. Conclusion The risk prediction models of pregnancy-related anxiety constructed based on LASSO regression and logistic regression have good prediction ability, and they suggest that pregnant women in the second trimester with short marriage age, high family care, low social support, family expectations for fetal sex, average physical condition, and experiencing life stress during pregnancy, and pregnant women in the third trimester with spontaneous pregnant intention, unintended pregnancy, physical discomfort, and experiencing life stress during pregnancy are high-risk groups for pregnancy-related anxiety.

Evaluación de la utilidad de la vitamina D como predictor de mortalidad en pacientes con COVID-19 / Evaluation of the usefulness of vitamin D as a predictor of mortality in patients with COVID-19

Resumen Introducción: Una de las funciones de la vitamina D es regular la respuesta inflamatoria del epitelio respiratorio; por ello, la deficiencia de esa vitamina en el contexto de COVID-19 podría constituir un biomarcador preditivo del desenlace de COVID-19. Objetivo: Evaluar la utilidad de la vitamina D para predecir la mortalidad en pacientes con COVID-19. Métodos: Estudio observacional y retrospectivo en el que se incluyeron 154 pacientes con diagnóstico de COVID-19, de los cuales 111 sobrevivieron y 43 fallecieron. En todos se determinó la concentración de vitamina D. Resultados: Se obtuvo un valor log-rank de p < 0.032 para la supervivencia al utilizar la concentración de vitamina D como variable categórica (≤ 20 ng/mL y > 20 ng/mL). Mediante análisis proporcional de Cox se encontró que la edad y concentración de vitamina D mostraron ser factores de riesgo asociados a la mortalidad en pacientes con COVID-19 (edad: HR = 1.036, IC 95 % = 1.016-1.058, p < 0.001; vitamina D: HR ≤ 20 ng/mL y > 20 ng/mL = 0.478, IC 95 % = 0.237-0.966, p < 0.040). Conclusión: La edad y la concentración de vitamina D constituyeron factores predictivos de mortalidad en pacientes infectados por COVID-19.

Abstract Introduction: One of the functions of vitamin D is to regulate respiratory epithelium inflammatory response; therefore, deficiency of this vitamin in the context of COVID-19 could constitute a predictive biomarker of the disease outcome. Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of vitamin D for predicting mortality in patients with COVID-19. Methods: Observational, retrospective study in which 154 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were included, out of whom 111 survived and 43 died. Vitamin D concentration was determined in all of them. Results: A log-rank p-value < 0.032 was obtained for survival when vitamin D concentration was used as a categorical variable (≤ 20 ng/mL and > 20 ng/mL). On Cox proportional analysis, age and vitamin D concentration were shown to be risk factors associated with mortality in patients with COVID-19 (age: HR = 1.036, 95% CI = 1.016-1.058, p < 0.001; vitamin D: HR [≤ 20 ng/mL and > 20 ng/mL] = 0.478, 95% CI = 0.237-0.966, p < 0.040). Conclusion: Age and vitamin D concentration were predictive factors for mortality in COVID-19-infected patients.

MRI-based analysis of predictive factors for nucleus pulposus resorption in patients with lumbar disc herniation treated with three-dimensional balanced chiropractic technique / 中国辐射卫生

Objective To observe the effectiveness of the three-dimensional balanced chiropractic technique in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and analyze predictive factors for resorption of the herniated nucleus pulposus based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods From June 2015 to June 2021, 95 patients with LDH treated with the three-dimensional balanced chiropractic techniquein our hospital were followed up for clinical and MRI data. They were divided into resorption group and non-resorption group based on the nucleus pulposus resorption rate. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association of 12 factors (sex, age, course of disease, etc.)with nucleus pulposus resorption. Results Thirty-two cases (33.7%)were found at follow-up to have nucleus pulposus resorption (resorption rate≥30%). Resorption was most likely to occur in patients with a disease course of less than a year (P < 0.001), type 3 LDH accoding to the Michigan State University (MSU) classification (P = 0.014), leg numbness (P = 0.006), and a L4/5 or L5/S1 disc herniation (P < 0.001). Conclusion MRI can be used as an important tool to observe nucleus pulposus resorption in LDH. A disease course of less than a year, MSU type 3, leg numbness, a L4/5 or L5/S1 disc herniation are associated with a higher possibility of nucleus pulposus resorption, which can be used as indicators predicting the outcome of patients with LDH treated with the three-dimensional balanced chiropractic technique.

Predictive factors and prognosis of post-stroke seizures / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To assess the predictive factors and prognosis of post-stroke seizures.Methods:A total of 315 inpatients with acute anterior circulation cerebral infarction from January 2018 to December 2018 were retrospectively collected, including 95 patients with PSS as observation group and 220 patients without PSS as control group.Clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded, including gender, age, lesion specificity, imaging features, past history, and the time and type of seizures.The Alberta stroke program early CT score (ASPECTS) was used to assess the extent of infarction, the national institutes of health stroke scale (NIHSS) and the modified rankin scale (MRS) were used to assess the severity and prognosis of cerebral infarction.The hemorrhage transformation of cerebral infarction was graded according to the European cooperative acute stroke study Ⅲ(ECASS Ⅲ) classification system.SPSS 21.0 software was used for data analysis.Chi-square test was used for categorical variables and t-test or non-parametric test was used for continuous variables. Results:The observation group had lower ASPECTS scores compared with the control group (5(4, 7), 7 (5, 8)), the presence of atrial fibrillation, hemorrhage transformation, laminar necrosis(LN) and hemosiderin deposition (31.6%, 45.3%, 24.2%, 26.3%) were higher than those of control group (20.9%, 28.2%, 9.1%, 16.4%), and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). In multivariate analysis, ASPECTS score ( OR=0.658, 95% CI=0.556-0.778, P<0.001), hemorrhage transformation ( OR=2.307, 95% CI=1.311-4.059, P=0.004), LN ( OR=2.530, 95% CI=1.250-5.123, P=0.010) and hemosiderin deposition ( OR=2.308, 95% CI=1.201-4.436, P=0.012) were the influencing factors of PSS.Partial secondary generalized seizures was the most common type of seizures, and in this group it accounted for 42.1% (40/95), simple partial seizures and complex partial seizures accounted for 12.6% (12/95)respectively, and generalized seizures accounted for 32.6% (31/95). The mean follow-up time of the two groups was 24.1 months and 24.6 months, respectively.The scores of MRS at the last follow-up and discharge (3(2, 4), 2(1, 4)) of the observation group were better than those of the control group (2(1, 3), 1(1, 3)), and the differences were statistically significant(both P<0.05). Conclusions:PSS after cerebral infarction can affect the prognosis of patients, and the large infarction scope, hemorrhage transformation, LN and hemosiderin deposition are the high risk factors of PSS.

The predictive value of estimated renal perfusion pressure in acute kidney injury of severe multiple trauma patients / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of estimated renal perfusion pressure (eRPP) for acute kidney injury (AKI) in severe multiple trauma patients.Methods:Severe multiple trauma patients were collected based on the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria from the Trauma Center, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University. Subsequently, patients were divided into the AKI group and non-AKI group according to the occurrence of AKI during 72 h admission to hospital. Further clinical information, ISS score, SOFA score, APACHE Ⅱ score, mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP) and intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) were collected, and eRPP were calculated. Additionally, the differences of parameters in the AKI group and non-AKI group were analyzed and logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent predicted risk factors for AKI. Finally, ROC curve was conducted to identify specificity, sensibility and best cut-off point.Results:A total of 173 severe multiple trauma patients were finally analyzed. Compared with the non-AKI group, the serum albumin [(32.21±5.20)g/L vs. (34.83±4.20)g/L, P =0.001] and 24 h urine output [(711.90±241.38)mL vs. (1 101.21±509.86)mL, P =0.001] were significantly lower and serum lactate [(2.80±0.96)mmol/L vs. (1.89±0.63)mmol/L, P<0.001], ISS score [(29.05±5.91) vs. (22.17±4.02), P <0.001], APACHEⅡ score [(38.84±21.47) vs. (31.45±18.24), P <0.001] and SOFA score [(5.26±2.08) vs. (3.14±1.34), P <0.001], in-hospital mortality (9.52% vs. 2.29%, P=0.038), and ICU stay [(8.43±6.46)d vs. (6.42±3.78) d, P =0.01) were significantly higher in the AKI group. Moreover, 6, 12 and 24 h of CVP and eRPP after admission were associated with the incidence of AKI. Logistic regression analysis showed that 24 h urine output, CVP and eRPP were the independent predictive factors (P <0.05) and 24 h of eRPP after admission applied a better predictive value of the incidence in AKI. Conclusions:24 h of eRPP might be the most suitable independent predictive factor for AKI in severe multiple trauma patients.

Advances in the prediction and treatment of recurrent pancreatic cancer / 医学研究生学报

Patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma who underwent surgical resection have poor prognosis, with the recurrence rate of over 80% within two years. Currently, the treatment of recurrent pancreatic cancer is still in the exploratory phase, and the efficacy is only limited to chemotherapy. In addition, there are differences in the efficacy of different chemotherapy schemes, and there is no unified chemotherapy scheme. Meanwhile, new radiotherapy and surgical treatment have been proposed for the treatment of recurrent pancreatic cancer, but its efficacy is yet to be confirmed. This paper summarizes the factors to predict postoperative recurrence, various chemotherapy schemes and new radiotherapy methods, reviews and analyzes the effectiveness of surgical treatment on recurrent pancreatic cancer.

Clinical Predictive Factors associated with First Line EGFR-TKI Efficacy in Advanced NSCLC Patients with EGFR Mutations / 中国肺癌杂志

BACKGROUND@#Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) have demonstrated some dramatic efficacy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with activating EGFR mutation. However, progression-free survivals (PFS) among those patients who were treated with first line EGFR TKIs were inconsistent. The aim of this study is to explore the association of clinical prognostic factors with EGFR-TKI efficacy in advanced NSCLC patients.@*METHODS@#The demographic and clinical characteristics of 203 patients with activating EGFR mutation treated with first generation TKI as a first-line therapy were retrospectively reviewed.@*RESULTS@#Of the 203 patients enrolled in this study, 139 patients had progression of disease and 63 patients died. The subjects had a median follow up duration of 21.1months and a median PFS of 14.3 months. Partial response (PR) was achieved in 127 (66.1%) patients and stable disease (SD) rate was achieved in 55 (28.6%) patients. In univariate analysis, patients with 2 or higher ECOG score (5.1 vs 16 months, P=0.033), SD as best overall response (9.5 vs 17.9 months, P=0.030), extrathoracic metastasis (11.7 vs 27.5 months, P=0.004), liver metastasis (4.1 vs 16.0 months, P=0.000), bone metastasis (13.3 vs 21.5months, P=0.027) and pulmonary embolism (5.5 vs 16.6 months, P=0.005) had shorter PFS than those without the listed factors. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed best overall response (HR=1.825, 95%CI: 1.107-3.008, P=0.018) and liver metastasis (HR=1.694, 95%CI: 1.146-5.756, P=0.022) were independent predictive factors of shorter PFS.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Despite the high efficacy of EGFR-TKI, SD as best overall response and liver metastasis predicts poorer PFS in advanced NSCLC patients with EGFR gene mutations receiving first-line therapy treatment.

¿Tiene valor pedir más de un perfil inmunohistoquímico en tumores multicéntricos o multifocales de mama? / Has it any value to request more than one immunohistochemical profile in multicentric or multifocal breast tumors?

Introducción La estimación de la prevalencia de tumores mamarios multicéntricos y multifocales es muy variable según los distintos estudios analizados. Esto se debe, en gran parte, a la falta de consistencia al momento de definir ambas formas de presentación. Por este motivo, muchos autores hacen referencia a este tipo de tumor como carcinoma mamario múltiple. El tnm, uicc-ajcc (7ma edición) define a esta forma de presentación como múltiples lesiones de carcinoma mamario presentes en la misma mama de manera sincrónica. Según el Colegio Americano de Patólogos (cap), la caracterización biológica de la lesión de mayor tamaño tumoral es suficiente, salvo que se presenten discordancias entre los tipos histológicos o grados tumorales. A pesar de que la estrategia de evaluar una única lesión en este aspecto tiene claras ventajas en costos y viabilidad, el cáncer de mama es considerado en sí mismo una enfermedad heterogénea, y, al seguir las recomendaciones anteriormente expresadas, se estaría asumiendo que estos tipos de tumores múltiples tienen un comportamiento biológico homogéneo. Por tal motivo, en el presente estudio se analiza el comportamiento biológico (re, rp, her2 y Ki-67) en cada foco tumoral presente, para poder establecer si, al seguir las recomendaciones vigentes actualmente, no estaríamos subtratando a un grupo de nuestras pacientes. Objetivos Evaluar la concordancia en los perfiles inmunohistoquímicos de cada tumor presente de manera sincrónica en la mama. Establecer la asociación entre los tamaños, los tipos histológicos y el grado tumoral. Material y método Se realizó un estudio observacional, retrospectivo en pacientes con diagnóstico y confirmación por estudio histopatológico de pieza quirúrgica de carcinoma mamario multifocal o multicéntrico. De un total de 722 pacientes, se obtuvieron datos de 45 historias clínicas, en un período comprendido, entre marzo de 2015 y septiembre de 2016 (18 meses). Las pacientes analizadas fueron diagnosticadas y tratadas en la Unidad de Mastología de la Clínica Breast y el Hospital Italiano de la Ciudad de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Los resultados histopatológicos e Inmunohistoquímicos (ihq) se obtuvieron de los patólogos pertenecientes a nuestro centro mastológico. El perfil ihq se realizó en tejido tumoral obtenido mediante biopsia con aguja gruesa o pieza quirúrgica. Se determinó: Receptores Hormonales para Estrógeno (re) y Progesterona (rp), her2 y Ki-67. Resultados • Se observó una incidencia de 6,23% de tumores multicéntricos, multifocales. • En cuanto al tipo histológico, la correlación entre biopsia con aguja gruesa y análisis de pieza quirúrgica fue del 100% (n:45 pacientes). • Grado histológico tumoral en los distintos focos: 84% (n=38) de concordancia y 16% (n=7) de discordancia. • Variabilidad de subtipos tumorales en cada foco: el 67% (n=30) no presentó discordancias. • Perfil inmunohistoquímico (ihq): el porcentaje de pacientes con concordancia en el perfil inmunohistoquímico y el subtipo tumoral fue superior al grupo de pacientes que presentaron discordancias. En el grupo de pacientes con discordancias, un 20% sobreexpresó el marcador her2. Conclusiones Teniendo en cuenta la heterogeneidad tanto intratumoral como entre los distintos focos que se presenta en estos tumores múltiples, es importante obtener la mayor información posible sobre la morfología y el perfil inmunohistoquímico.

Estimates of the prevalence of multicentric and multifocal breast tumors is highly variable depending on the different studies analyzed, and this is due largely to the lack of consistency when defining both forms of presentation. For this reason, many authors refer to this type of tumor as multiple breast carcinoma. The tnm (7th edition) defines this presentation as multiple lesions of breast carcinoma present in the same breast synchronously. According to the College of American Pathologists (cap), biological characterization of the lesion of the largest tumor is sufficient, unless discrepancies between the histological tumor types or degrees are presented. Although the strategy of evaluating a single lesion in this regard, has clear advantages in cost and viability, breast cancer is considered itself an heterogeneous disease, and following the recommendations previously expressed, it would be assuming that these type of multiple tumors have a homogeneous biological behavior. Therefore, in this study the biological behavior (er, pr, her2 and Ki-67) is analyzed in each tumor focus, to determine whether to follow the recommendations currently in force, we would not be sub-treatment a group of our patients.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte Ratio as A Predictor of Aspiration Pneumonia in Drug Intoxication Patients

PURPOSE: To evaluate the association between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and occurrence of aspiration pneumonia in drug intoxication (DI) patients in the emergency department (ED) and to evaluate the relationship between NLR and length of hospital admission/intensive care unit (ICU) admission. METHODS: A total of 466 patients diagnosed with DI in the ED from January 2016 to December 2017 were included in the analysis. The clinical and laboratory results, including NLR, were evaluated as variables. NLR was calculated as the absolute neutrophil count/absolute lymphocyte count. To evaluate the prognosis of DI, data on the development of aspiration pneumonia were obtained. Also, we evaluated the relationship between NLR and length of hospital admission and between NLR and length of ICU admission. Statistically, multivariate logistic regression analyses, receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and Pearson's correlation (ρ) were performed. RESULTS: Among the 466 DI patients, 86 (18.5%) developed aspiration pneumonia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed NLR as an independent factor in predicting aspiration pneumonia (odds ratio, 1.7; p=0.001). NLR showed excellent predictive performance for aspiration pneumonia (areas under the ROC curves, 0.815; cut-off value, 3.47; p 3.47).

Respiratory Severity Score as a Predictive Factor for the Mortality of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

PURPOSE: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is rare but potentially fatal. The overall outcome is highly variable. This study aimed to identify a simple and dynamic parameter that helps predict the mortality of CDH patients in real time, without invasive tests. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 59 CDH cases. Maternal and fetal information included the gestational age at diagnosis, site of defect, presence of liver herniation, and lung-to-head ratio (LHR) at 20 to 29 weeks of gestational age. Information regarding postnatal treatment, including the number of days until surgery, the need for inhaled nitric oxide (iNO), the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and survival, was collected. The highest respiratory severity score (RSS) within 24 hours after birth was also calculated. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed that a younger gestational age at the initial diagnosis (P < 0.001), a lower LHR (P=0.001), and the presence of liver herniation (P=0.003) were prenatal risk factors for CDH mortality. The RSS and use of iNO and ECMO were significant factors affecting survival. In the multivariate analysis, the only remaining significant risk factor was the highest preoperative RSS within 24 hours after birth (P=0.002). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.9375, with a sensitivity of 91.67% and specificity of 83.87% at the RSS cut-off value of 5.2. The positive and negative predictive values were 82.14% and 92.86%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Using the RSS as a prognostic predictor with simple calculations will help clinicians plan CDH management.

Research progress on predictive factors and time points of adaptive re-planning in intensity-modulated radiation therapy for head and neck cancer / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Adaptive re-planning contributes to improve the dosimetric uncertainties induced by anatomical changes during intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for head and neck cancer patients and can enhance the local control rate and quality of life of patients.Previous research has demonstrated that presence of relatively large lymph nodes before treatment and significant loss of body weight during treatment are pivotal predictive factors of re-planning during IMRT.At 4 weeks after IMRT,the volume of the target and peripheral organ at risk (OAR) tends to steadily decrease.One to two cycles of adaptive re-planning are recommended at 3 or 4 weeks after IMRT.

The Predictive Risk Factors for Bedsores of Terminal Cancer Patients Receiving Home-based Care

<p>Aim: To clarify the predictive risk factors for bedsores of terminal cancer patients receiving home-based care. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted involving 95 terminal cancer patients receiving home-based care, including people using services provided by home-visit care providers until death. Results: The numbers of patients with and without bedsores were 31 and 64, respectively. Bivariate analyses revealed that significant variables were the Ohura-Hotta scale (P=0.02), hyperactive delirium (P=0.005), contracture (P=0.008), and anemia (P=0.02). According to multivariable logistic analysis, significant variables were contracture (OR=16.55, P=0.0002) and hyperactive delirium (OR=4.22, P=0.008) as independent risk factors for bedsores. Discussion: For terminal cancer patients receiving home-based care, hyperactive delirium should also be considered as a predictive risk factor for bedsores.</p>

Factors Associated with Favorable Outcome of Topiramate Migraine Prophylaxis in Pediatric Patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There are few studies that have investigated predictive factors related to migraine prophylaxis of which produced inconsistent results. The aim of this study was to identify factors that can predict the treatment response to topiramate prophylaxis in pediatric patients with migraine. METHODS: One hundred and thirteen patients who were older than 7 years and received topiramate for at least 3 months were recruited from the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital outpatient clinic from 2005 to 2014. A positive response was defined as a reduction of more than 50% in the number of migraine episodes after topiramate treatment. Proposed predictive factors such as migraine characteristics including severity and frequency were assessed, as were other data on sex, disease duration, associated symptoms, family history, and impairment of daily activities. RESULTS: Seventy patients (61.9%) responded to prophylactic treatment with topiramate. Patients who experienced significant impairment in daily activities showed significant benefit from the treatment (p=0.004). Sex, the severity, frequency, and duration of migraine episodes, disease duration, treatment duration, age at onset, and associated symptoms were not significantly related to a response to topiramate treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Migraine characteristics and associated symptoms were not significantly related to a response to topiramate treatment. However, patients with significant impairment in daily activities showed significant benefit from the treatment, and so prophylactic topiramate treatment should be strongly encouraged in this patient group.

Predictive and Prognostic Factors of Viral Encephalitis in Pediatric Patients

PURPOSE: Encephalitis is an inflammation affecting brain parenchyma. At the time of presentation, it may be difficult to differentiate between viral encephalitis and altered mental status or seizures during febrile illness. The aim of the present study is to identify the predictive factors and to determine the prognostic factors of viral encephalitis in children presenting as seizure with fever. METHODS: From the retrospective review of the medical records, children with seizures or altered mental status during febrile illness who presented to Samsung Medical Center between January 2008 and May 2013 were included in the study. RESULTS: 81 patients were enrolled in this study (female:male=32:49). The mean age at admission was 4.9±4.3 years (range 0–14 years old). The patients were categorized into two groups according to the clinical diagnosis: (1) Viral encephalitis (VIRAL ENC, n=66), (2) Complex febrile seizures imitating viral encephalitis(C-FS, n=15). The predictive factors of viral encephalitis were focal and/or lateralized abnormalities in electroencephalography (EEG) (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: EEG can be helpful to predict the viral encephalitis, in pediatric patient who shows delayed restoration of consciousness after seizure during febrile illness.

Application of microdissection testicular sperm extraction in non-obstructive azoospermia / 中华男科学杂志

The development of testicular sperm extraction (TESE) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has made it possible for patients with non-obstructive azoospermia to have their own children. However, sperm retrieval by conventional TESE succeeds but in a subset of patients and, therefore, how to improve the success rate of sperm retrieval is becoming a focus of research. Recent studies suggest that microdissection TESE, although with its limitations, has obvious advantages over traditional sperm retrieval methods. This article presents an overview on the characteristics, predictive factors, sperm retrieval rate, post-operative complications, and improvement of microdissection TESE.

Nipple involvement in early breast cancer：retrospective analysis of 1,190 consecutive mastectomy specimens / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective:To evaluate the frequency and predictive factors of nipple involvement in a large contemporary cohort of pa-tients and to improve patient selection for the preservation of the nipple-areolar complex. Methods: This retrospective study re-viewed the medical charts of 1,190 patients who underwent traditional mastectomy in Peking University People's Hospital between October 2008 and March 2014. Nipple involvement incidence was compared between the cases of clinically abnormal and clinically normal breasts. Other clinicopathological features and nipple status were analyzed to evaluate the association between these factors and occult nipple involvement. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify predictive factors. Results:Nipple in-volvement was detected in 6.0%of the mastectomy specimens. Meanwhile, incidence was 40.7%(22 out of 54) in clinically abnormal nipple cases and 4.3%(49 out of 1,136) in clinically normal nipple cases (χ2=121.9, P2 cm), lymphovascular invasion, diameter (including carcinoma in situ;≤3.5 and>3.5 cm), T stage, N stage, and TNM stage were associated with occult nipple involvement. By logistic regression analysis, tumor location, tumor to nipple distance, T stage, and N stage were determined to be the independent predictors of nipple involvement. Conclusion:Clinical abnormalities of the nipples are reliable and potent predictors of nipple pathology. The cases with peripheral tumor, T1-T2 stage, and N0-N1 stage have lower probability of occult nipple involvement.

Predictive Factors for the Therapeutic Response to Concomitant Treatment with DPP-4 Inhibitors in Type 2 Diabetes with Short-Term Follow-Up / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and predictive factors of Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients who were not well controlled with other oral antidiabetic drugs or insulin in real clinical practice. METHODS: From December 2012 to January 2014, retrospective longitudinal observation study was conducted for patients with T2DM who were not reached a glycemic target (glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c] > 6.5%) with other oral antidiabetic drugs or insulins. Type 1 diabetes or other types of diabetes were excluded. Responders were eligible with decreased HbA1c from baseline for more than 5% during follow up period. RESULTS: Of total 135 T2DM patients having an average 9.0 months follow-up period, 84 (62.2%) of patients were responder to DPP-4 inhibitors. After concomitant treatment with DPP-4 inhibitors, patients had a mean decrease in HbA1c of 0.69 ± 1.3%, fasting plasma glucose of 13 ± 52 mg/㎗, and postprandial plasma glucose of 29 ± 85 mg/㎗ from baseline (all P < 0.05). Independent predictive factor for an improvement of glycemic control with DPP-4 inhibitors was higher baseline HbA1c (odds ratio 2.07 with 95% confidence interval 1.15-3.72) compared with non-responders. CONCLUSIONS: A clinical meaningful improvement in glycemic control was seen when DPP-4 inhibitors were added to other anti-diabetic medications in patients with T2DM regardless of age, duration of T2DM, type of combination treatment regimen. Patients who had higher HbA1c were more easily respond to DPP-4 inhibitors treatment in short-term follow-up period.

Sustaining Blood Lymphocyte Count during Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy as a Predictive Marker for Pathologic Complete Response in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between the circulating lymphocyte level during preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and pathologic complete response (pCR) in locally advanced rectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From May 2010 to May 2013, 52 patients treated with preoperative CRT followed by surgery, were analysed. Patients received conventional fractionated radiotherapy (50-54 Gy) with fluorouracil-based chemotherapy. Surgical resection was performed at 4 to 8 weeks after the completion of preoperative CRT. Absolute blood lymphocyte counts and their relative percentage in total white blood cell counts were obtained from complete blood count tests performed prior to and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of CRT. We analysed the association between achieving pCR and change in blood lymphocyte level during CRT, as well as clinical parameters. RESULTS: Among 52 patients, 14 (26.9%) had evidence of pCR. Sustaining the blood lymphocyte count during CRT (lymphocyte count at 4 weeks/baseline lymphocyte count > 0.35; odds ratio, 8.33; p=0.02) and initial carcinoembryonic antigen < 4.4 ng/mL (odds ratio, 6.71; p=0.03) were significantly associated with pCR in multivariate analyses. CONCLUSION: Sustaining blood lymphocyte count during preoperative CRT was predictive for pCR in rectal cancer. Further studies are warranted to investigate the association between pathologic responses and circulating lymphocyte count with its subpopulation during preoperative CRT.