Endometrial mesenchymal stromal/stem cells improve regeneration of injured endometrium in mice

BACKGROUND: The monthly regeneration of human endometrial tissue is maintained by the presence of human endometrial mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (eMSC), a cell population co-expressing the perivascular markers CD140b and CD146. Endometrial regeneration is impaired in the presence of intrauterine adhesions, leading to infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss and placental abnormalities. Several types of somatic stem cells have been used to repair the damaged endometrium in animal models, reporting successful pregnancy. However, the ability of endometrial stem cells to repair the damaged endometrium remains unknown. METHODS: Electrocoagulation was applied to the left uterine horn of NOD/SCID mice causing endometrial injury. Human eMSC or PBS was then injected into the left injured horn while the right normal horn served as controls. Mice were sacrificed at different timepoints (Day 3, 7 and 14) and the endometrial morphological changes as well as the degree of endometrial injury and repair were observed by histological staining. Gene expression of various inflammatory markers was assessed using qPCR. The functionality of the repaired endometrium was evaluated by fertility test. RESULTS: Human eMSC successfully incorporated into the injured uterine horn, which displayed significant morphological restoration. Also, endometrium in the eMSC group showed better cell proliferation and glands formation than the PBS group. Although the number of blood vessels were similar between the two groups, gene expression of VEGF-α significantly increased in the eMSC group. Moreover, eMSC had a positive impact on the regeneration of both stromal and epithelial components of the mouse endometrium, indicated by significantly higher vimentin and CK19 protein expression. Reduced endometrial fibrosis and down-regulation of fibrosis markers were also observed in the eMSC group. The eMSC group had a significantly higher gene expression of anti-inflammatory factor Il-10 and lower mRNA level of pro-inflammatory factors Ifng and Il-2, indicating the role of eMSC in regulation of inflammatory reactions. The eMSC group showed higher implantation sites than the PBS group, suggesting better endometrial receptivity with the presence of newly emerged endometrial lining. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest eMSC improves regeneration of injured endometrium in mice.

The Nasal Endoscopic Features of Postnasal Drip: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract Introduction Patients with chronic rhinitis suffer from postnasal drip (PND) but this symptom is not well addressed. Nasal endoscopy may aid in identifying PND. Well described endoscopic features of PND are presence of secretions in the posterior nasal cavity, diffuse erythema, and hemorrhagic spots in the nasopharynx, but these have not been formally studied. Objectives The present study aims to assess the association of nasal endoscopic features with PND among rhinitis patients. This will guide clinicians to interpret the nasal endoscopic findings appropriately. Methods Adults (≥ 18 years old) with chronic rhinitis were consecutively recruited at an Otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic in a tertiary referral center. The patients were grouped into either "Rhinitis with PND" or "Rhinitis only." The endoscopic features of PND were scored as: Secretions in the posterior nasal cavity (yes/no), erythema in the nasopharynx (none, roof only, diffuse), hemorrhagic spots (yes/no), then were compared between groups. Results The re were 98 patients included (age 32.32 ±11.33 years old, 61.2% female, 61.2% PND). Presence of secretions in the posterior nasal cavity was associated with PND ("Rhinitis with PND" versus "Rhinitis only," 78.3 versus 55.3; p = 0.02; Odds ratio: 2.81; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-7.32). Diffuse erythema of the nasopharynx was more frequent in "rhinitis only" compared with those with PND (76.3 versus 53.3%; p = 0.02). Hemorrhagic spots were equally present in both groups (11.7 versus 18.4%; p = 0.35). Conclusion Presence of secretions in the posterior nasal cavity may indicate bothersome PND among patients with rhinitis. Diffuse erythema of the nasopharynx and hemorrhagic spots are a nonspecific sign of inflammation.

Survival Analysis and Prognostic Factors for Peri-ocular Malignancies in Malaysia

@#Introduction: This study aims to determine the prognostic factors and survival outcomes of patients that underwent this surgery. Method: A retrospective review of 43 patients who underwent exenteration for periocular malignancies over a 14-year period was carried out. Patient demographics, tumour histology, treatment details, surgical margins’ status and post-operative survival were recorded. The survival outcome examined was the overall survival (OS) rate. Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used to evaluate post-exenteration survival. Results: In total, 20 females and 23 males with a median age of 62 ± 17.3 years were identified. The most common indication for exenteration was basal cell carcinoma (20.9%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (18.6%), adenocystic carcinoma (14%), malignant melanoma (14%) and sebaceous gland carcinoma (11.6%). The independent predictors for worse OS on multivariate analysis were Chinese ethnicity (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 4.95, p =0.017), sebaceous gland carcinoma (aHR 57.61 p=0.006), adenocystic carcinoma (aHR 45.87, p=0.008), clear surgical margins (aHR 5.41, p=0.025), receiving only chemotherapy (aHR 169.13, p=0.004), and receiving both adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy (aHR 41.51, p=0.010). Conclusion: We recommend targeted public health initiatives for Chinese patients due to their increased mortality risk from peri-ocular malignancies. In addition, we advise comprehensive adjuvant therapy for all patients regardless of whether a clear surgical margin is achieved. Basal cell carcinoma and adenocystic carcinoma may also benefit from genetic research. We advocate more training for ophthalmologists to identify periocular malignancies earlier for better treatment options and increased chances of survival.

Time to intubation with McGrath ™ videolaryngoscope versus direct laryngoscope in powered air-purifying respirator: a randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION@#During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, multiple guidelines have recommended videolaryngoscope (VL) for tracheal intubation. However, there is no evidence that VL reduces time to tracheal intubation, and this is important for COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure.@*METHODS@#To simulate intubation of COVID-19 patients, we randomly assigned 28 elective surgical patients to be intubated with either McGrath™ MAC VL or direct laryngoscope (DL) by specialist anaesthetists who donned 3M™ Jupiter™ powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR) and N95 masks. The primary outcome was time to intubation.@*RESULTS@#The median time to intubation was 61 s (interquartile range [IQR] 37-63 s) and 41.5 s (IQR 37-56 s) in the VL and DL groups, respectively ( P = 0.35). The closest mean distance between the anaesthetist and patient during intubation was 21.6 ± 4.8 cm and 17.6 ± 5.3 cm in the VL and DL groups, respectively ( P = 0.045). There were no significant differences in the median intubation difficulty scale scores, proportion of successful intubations at the first laryngoscopic attempt and proportion of intubations requiring adjuncts. All the patients underwent successful intubation with no adverse event.@*CONCLUSION@#There was no significant difference in the time to intubation of elective surgical patients with either McGrath™ VL or DL by specialist anaesthetists who donned PAPR and N95 masks. The distance between the anaesthetist and patient was significantly greater with VL. When resources are limited or disrupted during a pandemic, DL could be a viable alternative to VL for specialist anaesthetists.

Awareness of Oral Cancer among Patients Attending a Cancer Trust Hospital in East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh

Introduction: Oral cancer (OC) is associated with various risk factors and high mortality rates, and contributes significantly to the worldwide cancer burden. Objectives: To assess and evaluate patients’ current knowledge, awareness, and behavior regarding OC risk in a cancer trust hospital. Materials and Methods: The study involved 600 patients who attended cancer trust hospital, East Godavari district, from September 2021 to October 2021. A self- administered questionnaire of 20-questions was given to each patient that included socio-demographic and disease-specific information and their answers evaluated. Results: The data was examined using descriptive statistics, and the connection between the variables, education, family income, and other factors was assessed using a chi-square test (with a 5% significance threshold). The results were analysed with reference to their implications for interventions aimed at patient’s awareness for oral cancer symptoms. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, people lacked information and awareness about identified risk factors for oral cancer. Knowledge of maintaining a healthy lifestyle that eliminates the consumption of established oral cancer risk factors was low. At the community and individual levels, health education linked to primary prevention of oral cancer must be improved.

Relatively anterior lens position in primary angle-closure glaucoma eyes with long axial length

Purpose: To evaluate the refractive status and ocular biometric parameters in primary angle?closure glaucoma (PACG) eyes with different axial lengths (ALs). Methods: In total, 742 Chinese PACG subjects with complete ophthalmic examinations were enrolled. The refractive status was categorized as myopia (spherical equivalent [SE] ??0.5 D), emmetropia (?0.5 D < SE < +0.5 D), and hyperopia (SE ?+0.5 D), whereas the AL was divided into short (AL <22.5 mm), regular (22.5 ? AL <23.5 mm), and long (AL ?23.5 mm). The refractive status and ocular biometric parameters were compared among different AL groups. Results: The mean AL of the PACG eyes was 22.53 ± 0.84 mm (range: 19.68–25.57 mm). The refractive status was significantly different among different AL groups (P < 0.001). Also, 92.6% of hyperopic PACG eyes showed AL <23.5 mm, and 19.0% of myopic PACG eyes showed AL ?23.5 mm. The SE showed significant differences among different AL groups only in the hyperopic subjects (P = 0.012). The AL was significantly longer in myopic eyes (P < 0.001). The PACG eyes with longer AL exhibited lower keratometry, longer central anterior chamber depth and corneal diameter, and lens position and relative lens position closer to the anterior (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Axial hyperopia was common in PACG eyes, and axial myopia was not uncommon. Relatively anterior lens position could explain the occurrence of PACG in the eyes with long AL.

Mental stress induces endothelial dysfunction by AT1R-mediated redox imbalance in overweight/obese men

The main goal of this study was to determine whether oxidative imbalance mediated by AT1 receptor (AT1R) is responsible for deleterious endothelial responses to mental stress (MS) in overweight/obese class I men. Fifteen overweight/obese men (27±7 years old; 29.8±2.6 kg/m2) participated in three randomized experimental sessions with oral administration of the AT1R blocker olmesartan (40 mg; AT1R blockade) or ascorbic acid (AA; 3g) infusion or placebo [both intravenously (0.9% NaCl) and orally]. After two hours, endothelial function was determined by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) before (baseline), 30 min (30MS), and 60 min (60MS) after a five-minute acute MS session (Stroop Color Word Test). Blood was collected before (baseline), during MS, and 60 min after MS for redox homeostasis profiling: lipid peroxidation (TBARS; thiobarbituric acid reactive species), protein carbonylation, and catalase activity by colorimetry and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity by an ELISA kit. At the placebo session, FMD significantly decreased 30MS (P=0.05). When compared to baseline, TBARS (P<0.02), protein carbonylation (P<0.01), catalase (P<0.01), and SOD (P<0.01) increased during the placebo session. During AT1R blockade, FMD increased 30 min after MS (P=0.01 vs baseline; P<0.01 vs placebo), while AA infusion increased FMD only 60 min after MS. No differences were observed during MS with the AT1R blockade and AA regarding TBARS, protein carbonylation, catalase, and SOD. AT1R-mediated redox imbalances played an important role in endothelial dysfunction to mental stress.

Aerobic exercise prevents cardiomyocyte damage caused by oxidative stress in early cardiovascular disease by increasing vascularity while L-arginine supplementation prevents it by increasing activation of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase

L-Arginine and chronic exercise reduce oxidative stress. However, it is unclear how they affect cardiomyocytes during cardiovascular disease (CVD) development. The aim of this research was to investigate the possible effects of L-arginine supplementation and aerobic training on systemic oxidative stress and their consequences on cardiomyocytes during cardiometabolic disease onset caused by excess fructose. Wistar rats were allocated into four groups: control (C), fructose (F, 10% fructose in water), fructose training (FT; moderate running, 50-70% of the maximal velocity), and fructose arginine (FA; 880 mg/kg/day). Fructose was given for two weeks and fructose plus treatments for the subsequent eight weeks. Body composition, blood glucose, insulin, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, nitrite, metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity, left ventricle histological changes, microRNA-126, -195, and -146, eNOS, p-eNOS, and TNF-α expressions were analyzed. Higher abdominal fat mass, triacylglycerol level, and insulin level were observed in the F group, and both treatments reversed these alterations. Myocardial vascularization was impaired in fructose-fed groups, except in FT. Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was observed in all fructose-fed groups. TNF-α levels were higher in fructose-fed groups than in the C group, and p-eNOS levels were higher in the FA than in the C and F groups. Lipid peroxidation was higher in the F group than in the FT and C groups. During CVD onset, moderate aerobic exercise reduced lipid peroxidation, and both training and L-arginine prevented metabolic changes caused by excessive fructose. Myocardial vascularization was impaired by fructose, and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy appeared to be influenced by pro-inflammatory and oxidative environments.

Stable expression of shRNA for the control of recombinant adenovirus replication

Preventing the replication of adenovirus could have practical uses, such as controlling infection with wild-type virus or in applications involving recombinant vectors. Mainly transient methods have been used to inhibit adenovirus replication, including siRNA or drugs. Here, we tested whether stable expression of shRNA designed to target hexon, Iva2, or pol can inhibit the replication of a recombinant adenoviral vector, Ad-LacZ (serotype 5, E1/E3 deleted), in 293T cells. Significant knockdown correlating with reduced Ad-LacZ replication was achieved only when hexon was targeted. Cell sorting and isolation of cellular clones further accentuated knockdown of the hexon transcript, reduced protein levels by more than 90%, and diminished adenovirus production. As visualized by transmission electron microscopy, the cellular clone expressing the hexon-specific shRNA yielded 89.2% fewer particles compared to the parental 293T cells. Full scale production followed by purification revealed a 90.2% reduction in Ad-LacZ biological titer. These results support the notion that stable expression of shRNA can be used as a means to control adenovirus replication.

National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale: comparison of original and modified versions for Singapore culture

INTRODUCTION@#The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), originally designed in the United States of America, contains items on dysphasia and dysarthria that are deemed culturally unsuitable for the Singapore context. We compared the error rates of dysphasia objects, dysphasia phrases and dysarthria words between the original and alternative items in a cohort of Singaporean subjects without dysphasia or dysarthria.@*METHODS@#In this prospective study, 140 English-speaking Singaporean subjects without impairments of dysphasia or dysarthria had an assessment of NIHSS items 9 and 10 using the original and alternative items. Paired analyses were conducted for comparison of error rates.@*RESULTS@#The error rates were high for four original dysphasia objects (Hammock: 62.9%, Cactus: 38.6%, Feather: 23.6%, Glove: 20.7%) and significantly lower for alternative items (Snail: 5%, Horse: 1.4%, Hanger: 1.4%, Car: 0%) (P < 0.001). For dysphasia phrases and dysarthria words, the error rates were low and there were no differences in error rates between the original and alternative items.@*CONCLUSION@#There are cultural issues with several dysphasia objects in the original NIHSS as evidenced by the high error rates, which were lowered with more culturally suitable alternatives. This study formed a basis to derive a more suitable version of the NIHSS for English-speaking subjects in Singapore.

Evaluation of risk factors associated with fragility fractures and recommendations to optimise bone health in children with long-term neurological condition

INTRODUCTION@#The growing years are paramount for bone growth and mineral accrual. Children with long-term neurological condition (LTNC) have multiple risk factors for poor bone health and fragility fractures. In Singapore, this has not been studied systematically. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the risk factors associated with fragility fractures in children with LTNC.@*METHODS@#In this study, the search for fragility fractures was done by a retrospective review of patients with LTNC on follow-up in the paediatric neurology clinic and patients who presented with fracture to the paediatric orthopaedic clinic. Information on patients' demographics, medical history, intervention, biochemical bone markers and fracture history was collected.@*RESULTS@#In a tertiary clinic population of 136 patients with LTNC, 65% were dependent on mobility (Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] V), 60% were underweight and 60% were fed via gastrostomy or nasogastric tube, or were on oral pureed diet. Furthermore, 60% were on anticonvulsants. The fracture rate was 3% in this population and was associated with low-impact activities such as transfer and dressing. Only 7.4% and 33% of the patients had undergone measurements of vitamin D and calcium levels, respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#The local prevalence of fragility fractures in children with LTNC on follow-up at the neurology clinic was found to be 3%. Risk factors identified were limited ambulation and compromised nutritional status associated with feeding difficulty. Recommendations to optimise bone health in children with LTNC were made. These include promoting weight-bearing activities, looking out for underweight children, avoiding vitamin D deficiency and ensuring adequate calcium intake.

Transtubular Transoral Approach for Irreducible Ventral Craniovertebral Junction Compressive Pathologies: Surgical Technique and Outcome

@#Introduction: To investigate the use of a tubular retractor to provide access to the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) sparing the soft palate with the aim of reducing complications associated with traditional transoral approach but yet allowing adequate decompression of the CVJ. Materials and methods: Twelve consecutive patients with severe myelopathy (JOA-score less than 11) from ventral CVJ compression were operated between 2014-2020 using a tubular retractor assisted transoral decompression. Results: All patients improved neurologically statistically (p=0.02). There were no posterior pharynx wound infections or rhinolalia. There was one case with incomplete removal of the lateral wall of odontoid and one incidental durotomy. Conclusions: A Tubular retractor provides adequate access for decompression of the ventral compression of CVJ. As the tubular retractor pushed away the uvula, soft palate and pillars of the tonsils as it docked on the posterior pharyngeal wall, the traditional complications associated with traditional transoral procedures is completely avoided.

The Efficacy of Bisphosphonate in the Treatment of Giant Cell Tumour of the Bone: A Systematic Review and MetaAnalysis

@#Introduction: Anti-osteoclastic mechanism of Bisphosphonate (BP) is crucial to treat Giant Cell Tumour of the Bone (GCTB), however no established guidelines of its use have been published. This systematic review and metaanalysis is the first to summarise recent clinical studies on the subject. Materials and methods: A systematic search was performed based on PRISMA guidelines for clinical trials of BP administration in GCTB. Baseline data including BP regimen, dose and timing was summarised. The primary outcomes assessed were recurrence rate, metastases, survival rate, functional outcome, clinical outcome, radiological outcome, and adverse effect. Results: We identified 8 articles from 2008-2020. Most studies administer 4mg of Zoledronic acid post-operatively, with five studies mentioning pre-operative administration and six studies describing post-operative administration. There was a total of 181 GCTB cases analysed in this study. The BP group presented lower recurrence rate than control group (three studies; Odds Ratio [OR] 0.15; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 0.05 – 0.43; p<0.05; heterogeneity, I2=0%). As for survival rate, BP group is comparable to control group (two studies; OR 1.67; 95% CI, 0.06 – 48.46; p=0.77; heterogeneity, I2=65%). Conclusion: Bisphosphonate therapy offers satisfactory recurrence rate, functional outcome, clinical outcome, radiological outcome, survival rate and metastases rate in patients with GCTB, with minimal adverse effects. Pre- and post-operative administration of bisphosphonates in combination might be the most beneficial in minimalising the recurrence rate.

Malignancy in thyroid nodules with Bethesda III category on repeat fine needle aspiration biopsy / Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies

Objectives@#This study aimed to evaluate the risk of malignancy for nodules repeatedly classified as Bethesda category III on fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB).@*Methodology@#A chart review on a series of 59 patients seen with thyroid nodules who underwent both initial and repeat FNAB at the Diabetes, Thyroid and Endocrine Center of St. Luke’s Medical Center, Quezon City was conducted. The Thyroid Registry was utilized to collect each patient’s demographic and clinical characteristics, ultrasonographic features of thyroid nodules along with the cytopathologic and histopathologic results. The subclassification of atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) were retrieved from the cytopathology reports using the institution’s electronic Healthcare-Results Management System.@*Results@#A total of 59 adult patients with thyroid nodules were included. Nodules which were initially AUS/FLUS turned out to be malignant on repeat FNAB in 38 patients with a prevalence of 64.41% (95% CI: 50.87-76.45%). There was no significant difference with regards to clinical, ultrasonographic and cytopathologic features of malignancy between benign and malignant nodules.@*Conclusion@#Findings of this study support surgical intervention as a reasonable option after a repeat Bethesda III classification on FNAB. However, the small sample size warrants confirmation in future studies with a representative sample of patients.

Prostate health index can stratify patients with Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System score 3 lesions on magnetic resonance imaging to reduce prostate biopsies / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

We aim to evaluate prostate health index as an additional risk-stratification tool in patients with Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System score 3 lesions on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging. Men with biochemical or clinical suspicion of having prostate cancer who underwent multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging in two tertiary centers (Queen Mary Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong, China) between January 2017 and June 2022 were included. Ultrasound-magnetic resonance imaging fusion biopsies were performed after prostate health index testing. Those who only had Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System score 3 lesions were further stratified into four prostate health index risk groups and the cancer detection rates were analyzed. Out of the 747 patients, 47.3% had Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System score 3 lesions only. The detection rate of clinically significant prostate cancer in this group was 15.0%. The cancer detection rates of clinically significant prostate cancer had statistically significant differences: 5.3% in prostate health index <25.0, 7.4% in prostate health index 25.0-34.9, 17.9% in prostate health index 35.0-54.9, and 52.6% in prostate health index ≥55.0 (P < 0.01). Among the patients, 26.9% could have avoided a biopsy with a prostate health index <25.0, at the expense of a 5.3% risk of missing clinically significant prostate cancer. Prostate health index could be used as an additional risk stratification tool for patients with Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System score 3 lesions. Biopsies could be avoided in patients with low prostate health index, with a small risk of missing clinically significant prostate cancer.

The combined role of MRI prostate and prostate health index in improving detection of significant prostate cancer in a screening population of Chinese men / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Using prostate-specific antigen (PSA) for prostate cancer (PCa) screening led to overinvestigation and overdiagnosis of indolent PCa. We aimed to investigate the value of prostate health index (PHI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) prostate in an Asian PCa screening program. Men aged 50-75 years were prospectively recruited from a community-based PSA screening program. Men with PSA 4.0-10.0 ng ml -1 had PHI result analyzed. MRI prostate was offered to men with PSA 4.0-50.0 ng ml -1 . A systematic prostate biopsy was offered to men with PSA 4.0-9.9 ng ml -1 and PHI ≥35, or PSA 10.0-50.0 ng ml -1 . Additional targeted prostate biopsy was offered if they had PI-RADS score ≥3. Clinically significant PCa (csPCa) was defined as the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade group (GG) ≥2 or ISUP GG 1 with involvement of ≥30% of total systematic cores. In total, 12.8% (196/1536) men had PSA ≥4.0 ng ml -1 . Among 194 men with PSA 4.0-50.0 ng ml -1 , 187 (96.4%) received MRI prostate. Among them, 28.3% (53/187) had PI-RADS ≥3 lesions. Moreover, 7.0% (107/1536) men were indicated for biopsy and 94.4% (101/107) men received biopsy. Among the men received biopsy, PCa, ISUP GG ≥2 PCa, and csPCa was diagnosed in 42 (41.6%), 24 (23.8%), and 34 (33.7%) men, respectively. Compared with PSA/PHI pathway in men with PSA 4.0-50.0 ng ml -1 , additional MRI increased diagnoses of PCa, ISUP GG ≥2 PCa, and csPCa by 21.2% (from 33 to 40), 22.2% (from 18 to 22), and 18.5% (from 27 to 32), respectively. The benefit of additional MRI was only observed in PSA 4.0-10.0 ng ml -1 , and the number of MRI needed to diagnose one additional ISUP GG ≥2 PCa was 20 in PHI ≥35 and 94 in PHI <35. Among them, 45.4% (89/196) men with PSA ≥4.0 ng ml -1 avoided unnecessary biopsy with the use of PHI and MRI. A screening algorithm with PSA, PHI, and MRI could effectively diagnose csPCa while reducing unnecessary biopsies. The benefit of MRI prostate was mainly observed in PSA 4.0-9.9 ng ml -1 and PHI ≥35 group. PHI was an important risk stratification step for PCa screening.

Prolonged Unmet Mental Health Needs of the 2017 Pohang Earthquake Survivors

Objective@#Two years after the 2017 Pohang earthquake, some people sought follow-up mental health support. The demographic and clinical characteristics of this unique group of people were investigated to identify some insights on the predisposing factors of the longterm need for psychiatric help after a severe earthquake disaster. @*Methods@#De-identified data from those seeking mental health support 2 years after the 2017 Pohang earthquake were used. The descriptive statistics of demographic and clinical characteristics of the study group was identified and paired with general population data obtained from open and public governmental websites. Sex, age distribution, destruction of house, and psychiatric disorder were compared between the follow-up sample and general population. @*Results@#The proportion of women in the group seeking support was two times higher than that in the general population, and people ages between 50 and 70 years commonly sought support. The severity of home destruction was higher among people who sought and needed follow-up mental health support programs than in the general population. There was a higher proportion of people with psychiatric disorders in the group seeking support than in the general population. @*Conclusion@#The need for long-term mental health support 2 years after an earthquake was higher in women than in men and those aged between 50 and 70 years, and those with a previous psychiatric history and with a higher severity of home destruction, which lead to necessitating leaving the home. Future earthquake response should include screening and psychiatric treatment referral and residential support in vulnerable people.

Analysis of risk factors for neonatal preterm birth and construction of nomogram prediction model / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective To analyze the risk factors for neonatal preterm birth in 12 hospitals in Yunnan Province from 2016 to 2017, and to establish a nomogram prediction model for neonatal preterm birth, providing scientific evidence for the prevention of preterm birth. Methods A total of 20 445 pregnant women who gave birth in 12 hospitals in Yunnan Province from 2016 to 2017 were collected and grouped into a preterm group (n=1 186) and a full-term group (n=19 259) according to whether they had a premature delivery. The general information questionnaire of pregnant women designed by the research team was applied to understand the basic conditions and pregnancy information of the two groups, and the risk factors of preterm birth were determined by logistic regression analysis, R software was applied to draw a nomogram prediction model of neonatal preterm birth, and its predictive performance was tested. Results There were significant differences in the proportions of twins and above (9.11% vs 7.10%), pregnancy-induced hypertension (21.67% vs 18.57%), gestational diabetes mellitus (18.21% vs 15.90%), anemia (24.28% vs 20.70%), premature rupture of membranes (11.64% vs 9.76%), and abnormal placenta (7.08% vs 5.51%) between the preterm group and the full-term group (χ2=6.731, 7.055, 4.441, 8.691, 4.437, 5.232, all P<0.05); the logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors for neonatal preterm birth were twins and above (OR=2.378), pregnancy-induced hypertension (OR=2.039), gestational diabetes mellitus (OR=1.824), anemia (OR=1.825), and premature rupture of membranes (OR=2.313) (all P<0.05); the discrimination (area under the curve was 0.794, 95%CI=0.738-0.850) and precision (goodness of fit HL test, χ2=8.864, P=0.312) of the nomogram model constructed to predict the occurrence of neonatal preterm birth were both good. Conclusions The nomogram model for preterm birth constructed based on 5 factors including number of fetuses, pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus, anemia and premature rupture of membranes can predict the occurrence of neonatal preterm birth well, thus providing reference for the prevention of neonatal preterm birth.

It is Time to Incorporate Artificial Intelligence in Radiology Residency Programs

With the surge of interest in the development and application of artificial intelligence (AI) in radiology, we propose that know-how on the development and clinical evaluation of AI models needs to be incorporated in radiologist training curricula to prepare our specialty to lead in the new era of radiology practice augmented by AI.

Advancing Cardio-Oncology in Asia

Cardio-oncology is an emerging multi-disciplinary field, which aims to reduce morbidity and mortality of cancer patients by preventing and managing cancer treatment-related cardiovascular toxicities. With the exponential growth in cancer and cardiovascular diseases in Asia, there is an emerging need for cardio-oncology awareness among physicians and country-specific cardio-oncology initiatives. In this state-of-the-art review, we sought to describe the burden of cancer and cardiovascular disease in Asia, a region with rich cultural and socio-economic diversity. From describing the uniqueness and challenges (such as socio-economic disparity, ethnical and racial diversity, and limited training opportunities) in establishing cardio-oncology in Asia, and outlining ways to overcome any barriers, this article aims to help advance the field of cardio-oncology in Asia.