Comparative analysis through propensity score matching in thyroid cancer: unveiling the impact of multiple malignancies.

Background: The incidence of thyroid cancer is on the rise worldwide, with childhood exposure to radiation being the sole acknowledged catalyst for its emergence. Nonetheless, numerous other factors that may pose risks are awaiting thorough examination and validation. This retrospective study aims to explore the malignancies linked to thyroid cancer and contrast the survival rates of those afflicted with a solitary tumor versus those with multiple primary neoplasms (MPN). Methods: This retrospective study examined data from King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC), Jordan. Among 563 patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer, 30 patients had thyroid malignancy as part of MPN. For a 1:3 propensity score-matched analysis, 90 patients with only a primary thyroid malignancy were also enrolled. Results: Hematologic and breast malignancies were among the most frequent observed cancers alongside thyroid neoplasm. Patients who had MPN were diagnosed at older age, had higher body mass index and presented with higher thyroglobulin antibody levels (p < 0.05 for each). Additionally, MPN patient displayed a stronger family history for cancers (p= 0.002). A median follow-up duration of 135 months unveiled that MPN patients faced a worse 5-year survival compared to their counterparts with a singular neoplasm (87% vs 100% respectively; p < 0.01). However, no distinction emerged in the 5-year event-free survival between these two groups. Conclusion: MPN correlates with a significantly altered survival outcome of thyroid cancer patients. The diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma at an older age, accompanied by elevated initial thyroglobulin antibody levels and a notable familial predisposition, may raise concerns about the potential occurrence of synchronous or metachronous tumors.

18F-FDG PET/CT Unveils Coexistent Myelomatous Hepatosplenic and Thyroid Cartilage Involvement: A Rare Presentation in Multiple Myeloma.

ABSTRACT: Extramedullary myelomatous disease is an aggressive condition where clonal plasma cells proliferate outside the bone marrow, allowing independent survival. This state is generally associated with negative outcomes. A 65-year-old woman presented with progressive bilateral hypochondrial pain, was initially misattributed to an inflammatory etiology, and was consequently managed with corticosteroid therapy. A bone marrow biopsy was offered after further deterioration confirming plasma cell myeloma. Afterward, 18F-FDG PET/CT revealed medullary and extramedullary hepatosplenic and thyroid cartilage involvement, concluding an overall picture of an atypical and extensive extramedullary myelomatous disease.

Effects of subclinical hypothyroidism in type II diabetes mellitus patients on biochemical, coagulation, and fibrinolysis status.

The aim of the currnet study to examine the effect of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) in diabetic patients on coagulation parameters. This retrospective case-control study involves 130 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), divided into 65 T2DM with newly diagnosed SCH and 65 euthyroid (EUT) T2DM patients without SCH. Fibrinogen (FIB) was significantly higher in SCH (508.2 ± 63.0 mg/dL) than EUT (428.1 ± 44.8 mg/dL). In the SCH patients, FIB correlated with several parameters, such as age (ß = 0.396), body mass index (ß = 0.578), glycated hemoglobin (ß = 0.281), and activated partial thromboplastin time (ß = 0.276). In conclusion SCH in DM patients appears to increase the magnitude of coagulopathy.

An update in the pharmacological management of axial spondyloarthritis.

INTRODUCTION: Significant progress has been made in the diagnosis and management of axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) over recent decades. A greater understanding of the immunopathogenesis of the disease has paved the way for the development of targeted treatments. Their efficacy has been demonstrated in randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses and one head-to-head study of biologic DMARDs. Treatment decisions in AxSpA are currently influenced by patient choice, co-morbidity, clinician familiarity and cost. AREAS COVERED: We review the clinical trials that underpin the evidence base for treatments in AxSpA. We also cover the meta-analyses and head-to-head data that seek to support clinicians in personalizing treatment decisions. Further, we discuss the recent international guidelines that provide clinicians with treatment pathways and guidance. EXPERT OPINION: We conclude that treatment decisions in managing both radiographic and non-radiographic AxSpA should be based on shared decision-making with patients, the clinical effectiveness of drug class, co-morbidity and cost. At present, we have limited head-to-head data to prioritize one drug class over another for first-line treatment but can recommend tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin 17 (IL17) and JAK inhibition as being comparable in terms of clinical, structural and patient-reported outcome measures. Further real-world data may guide treatment decision-making in individual patients.

Effects of diabetes mellitus complications on sleep quality among Saudi Arabian patients-A national study.

Introduction: In diabetes mellitus (DM) patients, obtaining a good night's sleep is crucial for maintaining body caloric intake, controlling insulin levels, and reducing the likelihood of engaging in unhealthy behavior. Patients with poor sleep quality may experience impaired glycemia, playing a significant role in the development of chronic complications. This study aims to explore the effects of DM complications on sleep quality among Saudi Arabian patients. Patient and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among patients with diabetes. A self-administered, validated questionnaire translated into Arabic was distributed among diabetic patients using an online survey. The questionnaire includes sociodemographic characteristics (i.e. age, gender, marital status, etc.), the medical history of the patients, and a questionnaire about sleep quality. Results: Out of 4171 patients involved, 52.7% were females and 27.7% were aged between 40 and 60 years old. The prevalence of patients with perceived poor sleep quality was 24.1%. Significant predictors of poor sleep quality were the gender female, having social stressors, comorbid sleep disorders, associated comorbidities, increasing HbA1c levels, being overweight/obese, and diabetes complications. Furthermore, sleep disturbance, taking sleep medications, daytime sleepiness, and having bad dreams during sleep were also identified as prognostic factors for poor sleep quality. Conclusion: The subjective poor sleep quality of patients with diabetes was 24.1%. Poor sleep quality was significantly demonstrated by females who were having social stressors, comorbid sleep disorders, comorbidities, uncontrolled HbA1c levels, elevated BMI levels, and complications of diabetes. However, regular physical activity and adequate sleep were estimated to be the protective factors against poor sleep quality. Further research is needed to establish the effect of sleep quality among patients with DM.

From Despair to Hope: First Arabic Experience of 177Lu-PSMA and 161Tb-PSMA Therapy for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer.

The objective of this retrospective study is to assess the effectiveness and safety of two beta-emitting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) radioligands, [177Lu]Lu and [161Tb]Tb, in heavily treated patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). A total of 148 cycles of beta-emitting PSMA radioligand therapy were given to 53 patients at a specialized cancer care center in Amman, Jordan. This treatment was offered following the exhaustion of all prior treatment modalities. Approximately half of the cases (n = 26) demonstrated an initial partial response to PSMA radioligand therapy. Moreover, roughly one-fourth of the patients (n = 13) exhibited a sustained satisfactory biochemical response, which qualified them to receive a total of six PSMA radioligand therapy cycles and maintain continued follow-up for additional treatment cycles. This was reflected by an adequate prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decline and a concomitant partial response evident on [68Ga]Ga-PSMA positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging. A minority of patients (n= 18; 34%) experienced side effects. Generally, these were low-grade and self-limiting toxicities. This study endorses previous research evidence about PSMA radioligand therapy's safety and efficacy. It also provides the first clinical insight from patients of Arab ethnicity. This should facilitate and promote further evidence, both regionally and internationally.

FDG-PET in Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell (CAR T-Cell) Therapy Toxicity: A Systematic Review.

The utilization of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy to target cluster of differentiation (CD)19 in cancer immunotherapy has been a recent and significant advancement. Although this approach is highly specific and selective, it is not without complications. Therefore, a systematic review was conducted to assess the current state of positron emission tomography (PET) in evaluating the adverse effects induced by CAR T-cell therapy. A thorough search of relevant articles was performed in databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up until March 2024. Two reviewers independently selected articles and extracted data, which was then organized and categorized using Microsoft Excel. The risk of bias and methodological quality was assessed. In total, 18 articles were examined, involving a total of 753 patients, in this study. A wide range of utilities were analyzed, including predictive, correlative, and diagnostic utilities. While positive outcomes were observed in all the mentioned areas, quantitative analysis of the included studies was hindered by their heterogeneity and use of varying PET-derived parameters. This study offers a pioneering exploration of this promising field, with the goal of encouraging further and more focused research in upcoming clinical trials.

Untangling the relationship between smoking and systemic sclerosis: an analysis of the EUSTAR cohort.

OBJECTIVES: To untangle the association between smoking and systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: In the European Scleroderma Trials and Research cohort, the autoantibody status was compared between ever-smokers and never-smokers. Time until disease progression was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Cox models were built to investigate the influence of smoking over 15 years of follow-up. All analyses were performed for the total cohort and stratified for sex and for positivity of anti-centromere (ACA) and anti-topoisomerase antibodies (ATA). RESULTS: Overall, 12 314 patients were included in the study. Of these, 10 393 were women (84%), 4637 were ACA-positive (38%), 3919 were ATA-positive (32%) and 4271 (35%) were ever-smokers. In men, but not in women, smoking was associated with mortality (HR 1.63, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.16, p=0.001). Ever-smoking women were at higher risk for skin progression (HR 1.10, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.22, p=0.046) and for 'any organ progression' (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.13, p=0.036). In women, 34% of never-smokers were ATA-positive compared with 21% of ever-smokers (p<0.001). In the group of ever-smokers, higher exposure rates, reflected by the number of pack-years (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97 to 0.99, p<0.001) and by smoking duration (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.95 to 0.97, p<0.001), were associated with lower frequency of ATA. In ACA-positive patients, the risk of mortality (HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.63, p=0.033), cardiac involvement (HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.43, p=0.001), skin progression (HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.42, p=0.018) and 'any organ progression' (HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.24, p=0.002) was increased among smokers. In ATA-positive smoking patients, mortality (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.78, p=0.006), skin progression (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.37, p=0.020) digital ulcers (HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.34, p=0.029) and 'any organ progression' (HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.22, p=0.048) occurred more frequently. CONCLUSIONS: Our stratified analysis demonstrates that smoking is associated with an increased risk for mortality in male SSc patients but not in women. Strikingly, smoking is associated with lower prevalence of ATA positivity, in particular in women. In both ATA-positive and ACA-positive patients, smoking is a risk factor for mortality, skin progression and 'any organ progression'.

Navigating The Prostate Cancer Frontier: A Bibliometric and Altmetric Analysis of [225Ac]Ac-PSMA Therapy.

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the current state of bibliometric and altmetric research output of [225Ac]Ac-Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and its implications for prostate cancer (PC). Both PubMed and Scopus digital libraries were systematically explored to retrieve relevant data on the topic of interest. The study of various bibliometric and altmetric indices was facilitated through the use of Microsoft Excel, Stata (Version 17.0), and VOSviewer (Version 1.6) Softwares. The parameters included in this study comprised the examination of published articles, annual trends, countries, institutions, authors, journals, and co-occurring keywords. From 2014 to 2024, our study examined a total of 100 publications within the given domain. The studies that received the highest citations primarily centered on the crucial topic of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, with a particular emphasis on evaluating the safety and effectiveness of [225Ac]Ac-PSMA therapy. Moreover, much scholarly inquiry has been devoted to examining the [225Ac]Ac-PSMA adverse effects. Three high prolific countries (namely, Germany, United States, and South Africa) dominated the research render in terms of publications and citations. Finally, A strong correlation was observed between altmetric score and citation number (P < 0.001). The observed surge in scholarly research output and altmetric indicators associated with [225Ac]Ac-PSMA signifies a shift in emphasis towards embracing alpha targeted therapy in PC.

PET/CT in leukemia: utility and future directions.

2-Deoxy-2-[ 18 F]fluoro- d -glucose PET/computed tomography ([ 18 F]FDG PET/CT) has proven to be a sensitive method for the detection and evaluation of hematologic malignancies, especially lymphoma. The increasing incidence and mortality rates of leukemia have raised significant concerns. Through the utilization of whole-body imaging, [ 18 F]FDG PET/CT provides a thorough assessment of the entire bone marrow, complementing the limited insights provided by biopsy samples. In this regard, [ 18 F]FDG PET/CT has the ability to assess diverse types of leukemia The utilization of [ 18 F]FDG PET/CT has been found to be effective in evaluating leukemia spread beyond the bone marrow, tracking disease relapse, identifying Richter's transformation, and assessing the inflammatory activity associated with acute graft versus host disease. However, its role in various clinical scenarios in leukemia remains unacknowledged. Despite their less common use, some novel PET/CT radiotracers are being researched for potential use in specific scenarios in leukemia patients. Therefore, the objectives of this review are to provide a thorough assessment of the current applications of [ 18 F]FDG PET/CT in the staging and monitoring of leukemia patients, as well as the potential for an expanding role of PET/CT in leukemia patients.

Does your unwell patient have haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis?

Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a severe systemic hyperinflammatory syndrome characterised by dysregulation of immune cells and excessive production of cytokines, also known as a cytokine storm. It has distinctive clinical features with fever, hyperferritinaemia and falling blood counts. In adults, this usually occurs secondary to an underlying driver or trigger including infection, malignancy or rheumatic diseases. Prompt treatment with immunomodulatory therapy, including corticosteroids and the recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonist anakinra, is recommended to switch off the cytokine storm. Etoposide-based regimens are sometimes needed, and newer therapies such as emapalumab and JAK inhibitors are increasingly being used. The incidence of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis has increased significantly over the last 20 years which may partly reflect increased awareness of the condition. Although relatively rare, haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis can be encountered by a broad range of hospital physicians, so knowing how to diagnose and treat this condition is essential. This article reviews the pathogenesis, clinical features, causes, diagnosis and treatment of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis to improve physician recognition and management of this condition to improve future patient outcomes.

Intense prostate-specific membrane antigen receptor expression in coronary artery pypass graft scar tissue: A potential molecular imaging pitfall.

68Gallium-PSMA positron emission tomography/computer tomography has been utilized recently for the diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer. PSMA is a transmembrane protein that is expressed not only in the prostate gland but also in other tissues. While some pitfalls have been addressed, there are still uncertainties. Herein, we report a 79-year-old male with prostate cancer who underwent a PSMA scan after coronary artery bypass graft surgery, revealing disease progression and PSMA-avid foci at the surgical stitch sites. This report discusses the immunohistochemical and molecular imaging mechanisms underlying PSMA expression in surgical scar tissues, providing critical insights for optimizing radiologic reporting in such situations.

Artificial neural network-assisted prediction of radiobiological indices in head and neck cancer.

Background and purpose: We proposed an artificial neural network model to predict radiobiological parameters for the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with radiation therapy. The model uses the tumor specification, demographics, and radiation dose distribution to predict the tumor control probability and the normal tissue complications probability. These indices are crucial for the assessment and clinical management of cancer patients during treatment planning. Methods: Two publicly available datasets of 31 and 215 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with conformal radiation therapy were selected. The demographics, tumor specifications, and radiation therapy treatment parameters were extracted from the datasets used as inputs for the training of perceptron. Radiobiological indices are calculated by open-source software using dosevolume histograms from radiation therapy treatment plans. Those indices were used as output in the training of a single-layer neural network. The distribution of data used for training, validation, and testing purposes was 70, 15, and 15%, respectively. Results: The best performance of the neural network was noted at epoch number 32 with the mean squared error of 0.0465. The accuracy of the prediction of radiobiological indices by the artificial neural network in training, validation, and test phases were determined to be 0.89, 0.87, and 0.82, respectively. We also found that the percentage volume of parotid inside the planning target volume is the significant parameter for the prediction of normal tissue complications probability. Conclusion: We believe that the model has significant potential to predict radiobiological indices and help clinicians in treatment plan evaluation and treatment management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients.

The Effect of an Education Program on School Children Oral Health in Khartoum, Sudan.

Background: Oral health education programs have long been considered an essential part of oral health policies. This is important for reducing the risk of oral diseases through health enhancement and voluntary behavioral changes due to learning opportunities. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of school-based oral health education program on oral health in school children in Sudan. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted at four governmental schools in Khartoum, Sudan, between August 2018, and March 2022. A total of 423 school children were randomly allocated into the control (n = 211) and study (n = 212) groups. An adapted questionnaire was administered to students before and after the intervention to assess their knowledge and practice of oral health. The study group participated in oral health education activities. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 21. Results: The findings revealed that the mean knowledge at the pre-educational program was 9.3066 (SD = 3.91078) and the mean knowledge after the educational program was 21.2736 (SD = 2.13982). The scores indicated that the school children had significantly higher knowledge and practice scores after the oral health education program. Conclusion: The study concluded that education program on oral health improved students' oral health knowledge and practices. Imposing theoretical and practical lessons on oral and dental health in school curricula can motivate students to maintain oral health care, and this improves oral health status.

Characterization of Corneal Biomechanics Using CORVIS ST Device in Different Grades of Myopia in a Sample of Middle Eastern Ethnicity.

Purpose: To characterize corneal biomechanical properties using the CORVIS-ST device in myopic individuals. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study included patients with myopia. Our study included 154 eyes of 154 myopic patients aged between 18 and 40 years, with stable refraction for at least 2 years. A full ophthalmological examination and corneal tomography were performed using a Pentacam HR device. Corneal biomechanical parameters were assessed using the CORVIS-ST device in mild, moderate, severe, and extreme myopia groups. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in the DA ratio (p = 0.033), SP-A (p=0.009), CBI (p=0.041), SSI (p=0.000), and Peak distance (p = 0.032). In correlation with different Corvis ST biomechanical variables, SE was found to be correlated with DA ratio(r=-0.191, p=0.018), SP-A(r=0.199, p=0.013) and SSI(r=-0.336, p=0.000), while in multiple regression analysis, SE was found to be independently correlated with SSI and peak distance(p=0.036,0.038 respectively) while the grade of myopia was found to be independently correlated with SP-A(p=0.034). Conclusion: SSI, Peak distance, and SP-A were independently related to SE and myopia grade, confirming the hypothesis that eyes with higher myopia are more deformable and less stress resistant.

Posterior Sinuplasty: A New Strategy for Managing Hydrocolpos in Cloaca-Case Series.

We present a simple surgical technique aiming to improve urine outflow through the common urogenital sinus in cloaca and facilitate drainage of existing hydrocolpos. The study included three cases of cloaca with associated hydrocolpos that were operated during the period 2022 through 2023. The patient is placed in the prone position for a standard posterior sagittal anorectoplasty. The distal rectal fistula is severed flush with the vagina/sinus leaving an open defect in the posterior wall of the vagina/sinus. The defect is then widened distally via a vertical incision (∼1 cm) through the posterior wall of the common urogenital sinus toward but not reaching the perineum. This vertical defect is then closed horizontally displacing the posterior vaginal wall downwards toward the perineum (posterior sinuplasty). The postoperative recovery was uneventful in the three cases. Adequate drainage of hydrocolpos was confirmed by imaging at follow-up, as well as improvement of upper urinary tract dilatation. In selected cases of cloaca, posterior sinuplasty is a simple procedure that can be applied during anorectoplasty to provide effective drainage of associated hydrocolpos.

Risk factors of diabetes and cancer-specific mortalities in patients with infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Breast cancer is considered one of the most common neoplasms worldwide. Diabetes (DM) increases mortality among postmenopausal patients with breast cancer. Our study aims to identify the risk factors of DM-specific mortality and infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC) mortality in patients with IDC of the breast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of IDC patients were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database from 1975 to 2016. Independent variables included age, race, marital status, the primary site of IDC, breast subtype, the disease stage, grade, chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Kaplan-Meier, Cox and Binary regression tests were used to analyze the data using SPSS software. RESULTS: A total of 673 533 IDC patients were analyzed. Of them, 4224 died due to DM and 116 822 died due to IDC. Factors that increase the risk of overall, IDC-specific, and DM-specific mortalities include older age, black race, widowed, uninsured, regional and distant stages, grade II and III, and no treatment with chemotherapy or radiotherapy or surgery. Additionally, the IDC mortality increased with separated status, all primary sites, all breast subtypes, and stage IV. CONCLUSION: In patients with IDC, controlling DM besides cancer is recommended to reduce the mortality risk. Old, black, widowed, uninsured, regional and distant stages, grade II and III, and no treatment are common risk factors for DM- and IDC-mortality.