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1.
Case Rep Genet ; 2023: 5535083, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37497165

ABSTRACT

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) is characterized by nonprogressive symmetric contractures of multiple joints with normal intellect and normal systemic examination. AMC is often due to fetal akinesia, which has neurologic, muscular, and connective tissue etiologies. We present a case of AMC due to a variant in the titin (TTN) gene in a term neonate. The infant is homozygous for this variant, c.38442dup, which is predicted to result in a truncated protein (p.Pro12815Thr fs∗37, NM_001267550.2). A literature search (PubMed) failed to find reports of this TTN variant. The variant was classified as pathogenic and submitted to ClinVar. Titin is the body's largest protein, expressed in skeletal and cardiac muscles and encoded by the TTN gene. Due to its large size (364 exons), the TTN gene has been difficult to sequence; the number of variants in the TTN gene and the spectrum of titinopathies are probably underestimated.

2.
eNeuro ; 10(3)2023 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36858825

ABSTRACT

There is substantial variation in the mean and variance of light levels (luminance and contrast) in natural visual scenes. Retinal ganglion cells maintain their sensitivity despite this variation using two adaptive mechanisms, which control how responses depend on luminance and on contrast. However, the nature of each mechanism and their interactions downstream of the retina are unknown. We recorded neurons in the magnocellular and parvocellular layers of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) in anesthetized adult male macaques and characterized how their responses adapt to changes in contrast and luminance. As contrast increases, neurons in the magnocellular layers maintain sensitivity to high temporal frequency stimuli but attenuate sensitivity to low-temporal frequency stimuli. Neurons in the parvocellular layers do not adapt to changes in contrast. As luminance increases, both magnocellular and parvocellular cells increase their sensitivity to high-temporal frequency stimuli. Adaptation to luminance is independent of adaptation to contrast, as previously reported for LGN neurons in the cat. Our results are similar to those previously reported for macaque retinal ganglion cells, suggesting that adaptation to luminance and contrast result from two independent mechanisms that are retinal in origin.


Subject(s)
Geniculate Bodies , Vision, Ocular , Animals , Male , Geniculate Bodies/physiology , Retinal Ganglion Cells/physiology , Macaca , Retina , Photic Stimulation/methods , Visual Pathways/physiology
3.
Liver Transpl ; 29(6): 581-590, 2023 06 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36724875

ABSTRACT

Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) are the leading cause of early (<1 y) complications after liver transplantation (LT). NASH, the leading indication for waitlisting for LT, is associated with high cardiac risk factor burden. The contemporary prevalence and temporal trends in pretransplant cardiac risk factor burden and post-LT MACE among LT recipients (LTRs) with and without NASH are unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate (1) the evolution of post-LT cardiac risk factors in LTRs over time and (2) post-LT MACE over time, stratified by NASH status. This is a retrospective cohort of 1775 adult LTRs at a single transplant center (2003-2020). MACE was defined as death or hospitalization from myocardial infarction, revascularization, stroke, heart failure during the first post-LT year. Between 2003 and 2020, there was a significant increase in pre-LT NASH ( ptrend <0.05). There was also a significant increase in pre-LT obesity, atherosclerotic cardiovascular (CV) disease, and older age (≥65 y old) ( ptrend <0.05 for all). There was no significant change in the proportion of LTRs with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or heart failure. Unexpectedly, there were no changes in the rate of post-LT MACE over the study period (-0.1% per year, ptrend =0.44). The lack of change in MACE despite an increase in CV risk factor prevalence may reflect advancement in the identification and management of CV risk factors in LTRs. With projected continued increase in cardiac risk burden and the proportion of patients transplanted for NASH, it is critical for LT programs to develop and implement quality improvement efforts to optimize CV care in LTRs.


Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases , Heart Failure , Liver Transplantation , Myocardial Infarction , Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease , Adult , Humans , Liver Transplantation/adverse effects , Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/diagnosis , Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/epidemiology , Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/surgery , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Myocardial Infarction/complications , Myocardial Infarction/epidemiology , Heart Failure/epidemiology , Heart Failure/surgery , Heart Failure/complications , Transplant Recipients , Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology , Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology
4.
Sci Total Environ ; 865: 160880, 2023 Mar 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36516922

ABSTRACT

Commuters in urban settlements are frequently exposed to high concentrations of air pollutants due to their proximity to mobile sources, making exposure to traffic-related air pollutants an important public health issue. Recent trends in urban transport towards zero- and low-tailpipe emission alternatives will likely result in decreased exposure to air pollutants. The TrUST (Urban transformations and health) study offers a unique opportunity to understand the impacts of a new cable car (TransMiCable) in underserved communities within Bogotá, Colombia. The aims of this study are to assess the personal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), equivalent Black Carbon (eBC), and Carbon Monoxide (CO) in transport micro-environments and to estimate the inhaled dose per trip during mandatory multimodal trips before and after the implementation of the TransMiCable. We collected personal exposure data for Bus-Rapid-Transit (BRT) feeder buses, regular buses, informal transport, pedestrians, and TransMiCable. TransMiCable showed lower exposure concentration compared to BRT feeder and regular buses (PM2.5: 23.6 vs. 87.0 µg m-3 (P ≤ 0.001) and eBC: 5.2 vs. 28.2 µg m-3 (P ≤ 0.001), respectively). The mean concentration of PM2.5 and eBC inside the TransMiCable cabins were 62 % and 82 % lower than the mean concentrations in buses. Furthermore, using a Monte Carlo simulation model, we found that including the TransMiCable as a feeder is related to a 54.4 µg/trip reduction in PM2.5 inhaled dose and 35.8 µg/trip in eBC per trip. Those changes represent a 27 % and 34 % reduction in an inhaled dose per trip, respectively. Our results show that PM2.5, eBC, and CO inhaled dose for TransMiCable users is reduced due to lower exposure concentration inside its cabins and shorter travel time. The implementation of a cable car in Bogotá is likely to reduce air pollution exposure in transport micro-environments used by vulnerable populations living in semi-informal settlements.


Subject(s)
Air Pollutants , Air Pollution , Air Pollutants/analysis , Automobiles , Trust , Particulate Matter/analysis , Air Pollution/analysis , Vehicle Emissions/analysis , Soot , Environmental Exposure/analysis , Environmental Monitoring
5.
J Surg Case Rep ; 2022(3): rjac070, 2022 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35280052

ABSTRACT

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is an autosomal dominant mutation of the STK11/LKB1 gene on chromosome 19 often characterized by mucocutaneous pigmentation, hamartomatous polyps, anemia, gastrointestinal bleeding and intussusception. We present the case of a 21-year-old female with no pertinent family history who received the diagnosis of PJS after presenting to the hospital with two episodes intussusception. Patients with PJS have an increased lifetime risk of developing stomach, small bowel, colon, pancreatic, breast, cervical, uterus and testicular cancer requiring religious surveillance at an early age.

6.
Neurosci Lett ; 760: 136080, 2021 08 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34166724

ABSTRACT

The goal of newborn screening is to enhance the outcome of individuals with serious, treatable disorders through early, pre-symptomatic detection. The lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) comprise a group of more than 50 diseases with a combined frequency of approximately 1:7000. With the availability of existing and new enzyme replacement therapies, small molecule treatments and gene therapies, there is increasing interest in screening newborns for LSDs with the goal of reducing disease-related morbidity and mortality through early detection. Novel screening methods are being developed, including efforts to enhance accuracy of screening using an array of multi-tiered, genomic, statistical, and bioinformatic approaches. While NBS data for Gaucher disease, Fabry disease, Krabbe disease, MPS I, and Pompe disease has demonstrated the feasibility of widespread screening, it has also highlighted some of the complexities of screening for LSDs. These include the identification of infants with later-onset, untreatable, and uncertain phenotypes, raising interesting ethical concerns that should be addressed as part of the NBS implementation process. Taken together, these efforts will provide critical, detailed data to help guide objective, ethically sensitive decision-making about NBS for LSDs.


Subject(s)
Health Plan Implementation/organization & administration , Lysosomal Storage Diseases/diagnosis , Neonatal Screening/trends , Age of Onset , Decision Making, Organizational , Ethics, Medical , Forecasting , Health Plan Implementation/ethics , Humans , Incidence , Infant, Newborn , Lysosomal Storage Diseases/epidemiology , Lysosomal Storage Diseases/therapy , Neonatal Screening/ethics , Neonatal Screening/organization & administration , Treatment Outcome
7.
Mol Genet Metab ; 134(1-2): 53-59, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33832819

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To provide updated evidence and consensus-based recommendations for the classification of individuals who screen positive for Krabbe Disease (KD) and recommendations for long-term follow-up for those who are at risk for late onset Krabbe Disease (LOKD). METHODS: KD experts (KD NBS Council) met between July 2017 and June 2020 to develop consensus-based classification and follow-up recommendations. The resulting newly proposed recommendations were assessed in a historical cohort of 47 newborns from New York State who were originally classified at moderate or high risk for LOKD. RESULTS: Infants identified by newborn screening with possible KD should enter one of three clinical follow-up pathways (Early infantile KD, at-risk for LOKD, or unaffected), based on galactocerebrosidase (GALC) activity, psychosine concentration, and GALC genotype. Patients considered at-risk for LOKD based on low GALC activity and an intermediate psychosine concentration are further split into a high-risk or low-risk follow-up pathway based on genotype. Review of the historical New York State cohort found that the updated follow-up recommendations would reduce follow up testing by 88%. CONCLUSION: The KD NBS Council has presented updated consensus recommendations for efficient and effective classification and follow-up of NBS positive patients with a focus on long-term follow-up of those at-risk for LOKD.


Subject(s)
Consensus , Genotype , Leukodystrophy, Globoid Cell/classification , Leukodystrophy, Globoid Cell/genetics , Neonatal Screening/methods , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Dried Blood Spot Testing , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Late Onset Disorders/diagnosis , Late Onset Disorders/etiology , Late Onset Disorders/genetics , Leukodystrophy, Globoid Cell/diagnosis , Risk Factors
8.
J Thorac Oncol ; 16(4): 630-642, 2021 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33607311

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Suboptimal pathologic nodal staging prevails after curative-intent resection of lung cancer. We evaluated the impact of a lymph node specimen collection kit on lung cancer surgery outcomes in a prospective, population-based, staggered implementation study. METHODS: From January 1, 2014, to August 28, 2018, we implemented the kit in three homogeneous institutional cohorts involving 11 eligible hospitals from four contiguous hospital referral regions. Our primary outcome was pathologic nodal staging quality, defined by the following evidence-based measures: the number of lymph nodes or stations examined, proportions with poor-quality markers such as nonexamination of lymph nodes, and aggregate quality benchmarks including the National Comprehensive Cancer Network criteria. Additional outcomes included perioperative complications, health care utilization, and overall survival. RESULTS: Of 1492 participants, 56% had resection with the kit and 44% without. Pathologic nodal staging quality was significantly higher in the kit cases: 0.2% of kit cases versus 9.8% of nonkit cases had no lymph nodes examined; 3.2% versus 25.3% had no mediastinal lymph nodes; 75% versus 26% attained the National Comprehensive Cancer Network criteria (p < 0.0001 for all comparisons). Kit cases revealed no difference in perioperative complications or health care utilization except for significantly shorter duration of surgery, lower proportions with atelectasis, and slightly higher use of blood transfusion. Resection with the kit was associated with a lower hazard of death (crude, 0.78 [95% confidence interval: 0.61-0.99]; adjusted 0.85 [0.71-1.02]). CONCLUSIONS: Lung cancer surgery with a lymph node collection kit significantly improved pathologic nodal staging quality, with a trend toward survival improvement, without excessive perioperative morbidity or mortality.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung , Lung Neoplasms , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Lung Neoplasms/surgery , Lymph Node Excision , Lymph Nodes/pathology , Lymph Nodes/surgery , Neoplasm Staging , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Pneumonectomy , Prospective Studies
9.
Curr Opin Organ Transplant ; 26(1): 77-84, 2021 02 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33315765

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: As the field of transplant has advanced, cardiac events have become the leading cause of morbidity and mortality after liver and kidney transplantation ahead of graft failure and infection. This trend has been bolstered by the transplantation of older and sicker patients who have a higher burden of cardiovascular risk factors, accentuating the need to determine which patients should undergo more extensive cardiac evaluation prior to transplantation. RECENT FINDINGS: Computed tomography coronary angiography with or without coronary artery calcium scoring is now preferred over stress imaging in most transplant candidates for assessment of coronary artery disease. Assessment of cardiac structure and function using transthoracic echocardiography with tissue doppler imaging and strain imaging is recommended, particularly in liver transplant candidates who are at high risk of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, for which new diagnostic criteria were recently published in 2019. SUMMARY: Cardiac evaluation of liver and kidney transplant candidates requires a global assessment for both short and long-term risk for cardiac events. Imaging of cardiac structure and function using transthoracic echocardiography with tissue doppler imaging and strain imaging is recommended. Risk stratification should consider both the anatomic and functional consequences of coronary artery disease in transplant candidates. VIDEO ABSTRACT: http://links.lww.com/MOT/A27.


Subject(s)
Coronary Artery Disease/diagnosis , Coronary Artery Disease/physiopathology , Kidney Transplantation/adverse effects , Liver Transplantation/adverse effects , Heart/physiopathology , Heart Function Tests , Humans , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors
10.
Int Orthop ; 44(11): 2443-2448, 2020 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32691122

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this scoping review was to examine the nature and quality of research regarding paediatric supracondylar humerus (SCH) fractures in low and lower middle-income countries (LICs). METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and African Journals Online on January 9, 2018, for studies of SCH fractures in LICs. Studies were categorized by geographic region, Gartland classification of included patients, and study design. We evaluated each study's methodology and conclusions. RESULTS: Out of 1805 results, we analyzed 105 studies, most of which included type 3 fractures only (66%). Many were conducted in South Asia (58%) and assessed treatment outcomes (78%). Most of the studies had level IV evidence (67%). Common limitations of research were small sample size (12%) and inadequate follow-up (6%). Epidemiological studies concluded that SCH fractures are more common among male children, are usually secondary to falls, and rarely present with nerve injuries. Most therapeutic studies reported outcomes of surgery (91%). Thirteen studies concluded that all-lateral versus cross-pinning techniques have similar outcomes. Seven studies reported preference for closed reduction over open reduction, when intra-operative fluoroscopy was available. Most common outcome measures were Flynn criteria (77%) and range of motion (53%). None of the papers looked at treatment costs. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show a predominance of small level IV studies from LICs, with few studies of higher level of evidence. Many studies examined controversies with surgical technique, similar to studies performed in high-income countries. Few studies examined non-operative treatment, which is commonly the predominant treatment available for patients in LICs. Further investigation of common treatment modalities and outcomes for SCH fractures in LICs is needed.


Subject(s)
Developing Countries , Humeral Fractures , Bone Nails , Child , Humans , Humeral Fractures/diagnostic imaging , Humeral Fractures/epidemiology , Humeral Fractures/surgery , Humerus , Male , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome
11.
Chest ; 158(2): 698-704, 2020 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32084393

ABSTRACT

In early 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the Medical Review of Evaluation and Management (E/M) Documentation, which allows supervising teaching physicians to rely on a medical student's documentation to support billing for E/M services. This change has potential to enhance education, clinical documentation quality, and the satisfaction of students, postgraduate trainees, and teaching physicians. However, its practical adoption presents many challenges that must be navigated successfully to realize these important goals in compliance with federal and local requirements, while avoiding unintended downstream problems. Implementation requires careful planning, policy creation, education, and monitoring, all with collaboration between institutional leaders, compliance and information technology professionals, educators, and learners. In this paper, we review the 2018 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rule change, address common questions and potential impacts, outline practical workflows to meet the supervision requirement, and discuss steps for successful implementation.


Subject(s)
Documentation/standards , Forms and Records Control/standards , Medicaid/economics , Medicare/economics , Students, Medical , Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S. , Humans , Medicaid/legislation & jurisprudence , Medicare/legislation & jurisprudence , United States
12.
Ann Thorac Surg ; 107(5): 1487-1493, 2019 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30594579

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection is the main curative modality for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but variation in the quality of care contributes to suboptimal survival rates. Improving surgical outcomes by eliminating quality deficits is a key strategy for improving population-level lung cancer survival. We evaluated the long-term survival effect of providing direct feedback on institutional performance in a population-based cohort. METHODS: The Mid-South Quality of Surgical Resection cohort includes all NSCLC resections at 11 hospitals in four contiguous Dartmouth Hospital Referral Regions in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. We evaluated resections from 2004 to 2013, before and after onset of a benchmarked performance feedback campaign to surgery and pathology teams in 2009. RESULTS: We evaluated 2,206 patients: 56% preintervention (pre-era) and 44% postintervention (post-era). Preoperative positron emission tomography/computed tomography (46% vs 82%, p < 0.0001), brain scans (6% vs 21%, p < 0.0001), and bronchoscopy (8% vs 27%, p < 0.0001) were more frequently used in the post-era. Patients had 5-year survival of 47% (44% to 50%) in the pre-era compared with 53% (50% to 56%) in the post-era (p = 0.0028). The post-era had an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.85 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75 to 0.97; p = 0.0158) compared with the pre-era. This differed by extent of resection (p = 0.0113): compared with the pre-era, the post-era adjusted hazard ratio was 0.49 (95% CI, 0.33 to 0.72) in pneumonectomy, 0.91 (95% CI, 0.79 to 1.05) in lobectomy/bilobectomy, and 0.85 (95% CI, 0.63 to 1.15) in segmentectomy/wedge resections. CONCLUSIONS: Overall survival after surgical resection improved significantly in a high lung cancer mortality region of the United States. Reasons may include better selection of patients for pneumonectomy and more thorough staging.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/mortality , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/surgery , Feedback , Lung Neoplasms/mortality , Lung Neoplasms/surgery , Quality of Health Care , Aged , Cohort Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pneumonectomy , Survival Rate
13.
J Am Coll Cardiol ; 71(24): 2717-2726, 2018 06 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29903344

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The burden oral anticoagulation is a limitation of mechanical valve prostheses. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to test whether patients could be safely managed with dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) (aspirin 325 mg and clopidogrel 75 mg) or lower warfarin after On-X mechanical aortic valve replacement (mAVR). METHODS: PROACT (Prospective Randomized On-X Anticoagulation Trial) (n = 576) is a multicenter (41 sites) noninferiority trial. From June 2006 through February 2014, 201 patients ≥18 years of age without thromboembolic risk factors undergoing mAVR were randomized to receive DAPT (n = 99) or standard warfarin plus aspirin (n = 102) 3 months after mAVR (low-risk arm). From June 2006 through October 2009, 375 patients with 1 or more thromboembolic risk factors were also randomized to lower intensity warfarin plus aspirin (international normalized ratio 1.5 to 2.0; n = 185) or standard warfarin plus aspirin (international normalized ratio 2.0 to 3.0; n = 190) 3 months after mAVR (high-risk arm). RESULTS: The low-risk arm was terminated for excess cerebral thromboembolic events (3.12% per patient-year vs. 0.29% per patient-year, p = 0.02) in the DAPT group at up to 8.8-year follow-up (631.6 patient-years), with no differences in bleeding or all-cause mortality. High-risk arm patients experienced significantly lower major (1.59% per patient-year vs. 3.94% per patient-year, p = 0.002) and minor (1.27% per patient-year vs. 3.49% per patient-year, p = 0.002) bleeding up to 8.7-year follow-up (2,035.2 patient-years), with no differences in thromboembolism (0.42% per patient-year vs. 0.09% per patient-year, p = 0.20) and all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: DAPT was associated with higher rates of thromboembolism and valve thrombosis compared with control in the low-risk arm. International normalized ratios were safely maintained at 1.5 to 2.0 in high-risk patients, without differences in mortality or thromboembolic complications. (Randomized On-X Anticoagulation Trial [PROACT]; NCT00291525).


Subject(s)
Anticoagulants/administration & dosage , Aortic Valve/surgery , Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation , Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/administration & dosage , Postoperative Complications/prevention & control , Thromboembolism/prevention & control , Adult , Aged , Aspirin/administration & dosage , Clopidogrel/administration & dosage , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Warfarin/administration & dosage
14.
Ann Thorac Surg ; 106(1): 228-234, 2018 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29534956

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Accurate pathologic nodal staging improves early stage non-small cell lung cancer survival. In an ongoing implementation study, we measured the impact of a surgical lymph node specimen collection kit and a more thorough pathologic gross dissection method on attainment of guideline-recommended pathologic nodal staging quality. METHODS: We prospectively collected data on curative intent non-small cell lung cancer resections from 2009 to 2016 from 11 hospitals in four contiguous Dartmouth Hospital referral regions. We categorized patients into four groups based on exposure to the two interventions in our staggered implementation study design. We used χ2 tests to examine the differences in demographic and disease characteristics and surgical quality criteria across implementation groups. RESULTS: Of 2,469 patients, 1,615 (65%) received neither intervention; 167 (7%) received only the pathology intervention; 264 (11%) received only the surgery intervention; and 423 (17%) had both. Rates of nonexamination of lymph nodes reduced sequentially in the order of no intervention, novel dissection, kit, and combined interventions, including nonexamination of any lymph nodes and hilar/intrapulmonary and mediastinal nodes (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). The rates of attainment of National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Commission on Cancer, American Joint Committee on Cancer, and American College of Surgeons Oncology Group guidelines increased significantly in the same sequential order (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: The combined effect of two interventions to improve pathologic lymph node examination has a greater effect on attainment of a range of surgical quality criteria than either intervention alone.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/surgery , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Lung Neoplasms/surgery , Lymph Nodes/pathology , Adult , Aged , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/mortality , Cohort Studies , Databases, Factual , Disease-Free Survival , Female , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/mortality , Lymph Node Excision/methods , Lymph Node Excision/mortality , Lymph Nodes/surgery , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Invasiveness/pathology , Neoplasm Staging , Pneumonectomy/methods , Prognosis , Prospective Studies , Risk Assessment , Survival Rate , Treatment Outcome
16.
Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg ; 29(1): 91-101, 2017.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28684006

ABSTRACT

Surgery is the most important curative treatment modality for patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We examined the pattern of surgical resection for NSCLC in a high incidence and mortality region of the United States over a 10-year period (2004-2013) in the context of a regional surgical quality improvement initiative. We abstracted patient-level data on all resections at 11 hospitals in 4 contiguous Dartmouth Hospital Referral Regions in North Mississippi, East Arkansas, and West Tennessee. Surgical quality measures focused on intraoperative practice, with emphasis on pathologic nodal staging. We used descriptive statistics and trend analyses to assess changes in practice over time. To measure the effect of an ongoing regional quality improvement intervention with a lymph node specimen collection kit, we used period effect analysis to compare trends between the preintervention and postintervention periods. Of 2566 patients, 18% had no preoperative biopsy, only 15% had a preoperative invasive staging test, and 11% underwent mediastinoscopy. The rate of resections with no mediastinal lymph nodes examined decreased from 48%-32% (P < 0.0001), whereas the rate of resections examining 3 or more mediastinal stations increased from 5%-49% (P < 0.0001). There was a significant period effect in the increase in the number of N1, mediastinal, and total lymph nodes examined (all P < 0.0001). A quality improvement intervention including a lymph node specimen collection kit shows early signs of having a significant positive effect on pathologic nodal examination in this population-based cohort. However, gaps in surgical quality remain.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/surgery , Lung Neoplasms/surgery , Lymph Node Excision/trends , Mediastinoscopy/trends , Pneumonectomy/trends , Practice Patterns, Physicians'/trends , Process Assessment, Health Care/trends , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Arkansas , Biopsy/trends , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/mortality , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/secondary , Female , Health Care Surveys , Healthcare Disparities/trends , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/mortality , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Lymph Node Excision/adverse effects , Lymph Node Excision/mortality , Lymphatic Metastasis , Male , Mediastinoscopy/adverse effects , Mediastinoscopy/mortality , Middle Aged , Mississippi , Neoplasm Staging , Pneumonectomy/adverse effects , Pneumonectomy/mortality , Predictive Value of Tests , Quality Improvement/trends , Quality Indicators, Health Care/trends , Retrospective Studies , Tennessee , Time Factors , Treatment Outcome
18.
Ann Thorac Surg ; 103(5): 1557-1565, 2017 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28366464

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) surgical resection guidelines for non-small cell lung cancer recommend anatomic resection, negative margins, examination of hilar/intrapulmonary lymph nodes, and examination of three or more mediastinal nodal stations. We examined the survival impact of these criteria. METHODS: A population-based observational study was done using patient-level data from all curative-intent, non-small cell lung cancer resections from 2004 to 2013 at 11 institutions in four contiguous Dartmouth Hospital referral regions in three US states. We used an adjusted Cox proportional hazards model to assess the overall survival impact of attaining NCCN guidelines. RESULTS: Of 2,429 eligible resections, 91% were anatomic, 94% had negative margins, 51% sampled hilar nodes, and 26% examined three or more mediastinal nodal stations. Only 17% of resections met all four criteria; however, there was a significant increasing trend from 2% in 2004 to 39% in 2013 (p < 0.001). Compared with patients whose surgery missed one or more criteria, the hazard ratio for patients whose surgery met all four criteria was 0.71 (95% confidence interval: 0.59 to 0.86, p < 0.001). Margin status and the nodal staging criteria were most strongly linked with survival. CONCLUSIONS: Attainment of NCCN surgical quality guidelines was low, but improving, over the past decade in this cohort from a high lung cancer mortality region of the United States. The NCCN quality criteria, especially the nodal examination criteria, were strongly associated with survival. The quality of nodal examination should be a focus of quality improvement in non-small cell lung cancer care.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/surgery , Lung Neoplasms/surgery , Neoplasm Staging/standards , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Benchmarking , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/mortality , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology , Female , Humans , Kaplan-Meier Estimate , Lung Neoplasms/mortality , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Lymph Nodes/pathology , Male , Margins of Excision , Middle Aged , Pneumonectomy , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Prognosis , Proportional Hazards Models , Quality Improvement , Retrospective Studies , United States
19.
Genet Med ; 18(12): 1235-1243, 2016 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27171547

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Early infantile Krabbe disease is rapidly fatal, but hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) may improve outcomes if performed soon after birth. New York State began screening all newborns for Krabbe disease in 2006. METHODS: Infants with abnormal newborn screen results for Krabbe disease were referred to specialty-care centers. Newborns found to be at high risk for Krabbe disease underwent a neurodiagnostic battery to determine the need for emergent HSCT. RESULTS: Almost 2 million infants were screened. Five infants were diagnosed with early infantile Krabbe disease. Three died, two from HSCT-related complications and one from untreated disease. Two children who received HSCT have moderate to severe developmental delays. Forty-six currently asymptomatic children are considered to be at moderate or high risk for development of later-onset Krabbe disease. CONCLUSIONS: These results show significant HSCT-associated morbidity and mortality in early infantile Krabbe disease and raise questions about its efficacy when performed in newborns diagnosed through newborn screening. The unanticipated identification of "at risk" children introduces unique ethical and medicolegal issues. New York's experience raises questions about the risks, benefits, and practicality of screening newborns for Krabbe disease. It is imperative that objective assessments be made on an ongoing basis as additional states begin screening for this disorder.Genet Med 18 12, 1235-1243.


Subject(s)
Leukodystrophy, Globoid Cell/genetics , Leukodystrophy, Globoid Cell/therapy , Mass Screening , Neonatal Screening , Female , Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Leukodystrophy, Globoid Cell/diagnosis , Leukodystrophy, Globoid Cell/mortality , New York , Risk Factors
20.
Genet Med ; 18(3): 239-48, 2016 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26795590

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Krabbe disease (KD) results from galactocerebrosidase (GALC) deficiency. Infantile KD symptoms include irritability, progressive stiffness, developmental delay, and death. The only potential treatment is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. New York State (NYS) implemented newborn screening for KD in 2006. METHODS: Dried blood spots from newborns were assayed for GALC enzyme activity using mass spectrometry, followed by molecular analysis for those with low activity (≤12% of the daily mean). Infants with low enzyme activity and one or more mutations were referred for follow-up diagnostic testing and neurological examination. RESULTS: Of >1.9 million screened, 620 infants were subjected to molecular analysis and 348 were referred for diagnostic testing. Five had enzyme activities and mutations consistent with infantile KD and manifested clinical/neurodiagnostic abnormalities. Four underwent transplantation, two are surviving with moderate to severe handicaps, and two died from transplant-related complications. The significance of many sequence variants identified is unknown. Forty-six asymptomatic infants were found to be at moderate to high risk for disease. CONCLUSIONS: The positive predictive value of KD screening in NYS is 1.4% (5/346) considering confirmed infantile cases. The incidence of infantile KD in NYS is approximately 1 in 394,000, but it may be higher for later-onset forms.


Subject(s)
Galactosylceramidase/genetics , Galactosylceramidase/metabolism , Leukodystrophy, Globoid Cell/diagnosis , Neonatal Screening/methods , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Algorithms , Dried Blood Spot Testing , Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Leukodystrophy, Globoid Cell/enzymology , Leukodystrophy, Globoid Cell/therapy , Mass Spectrometry , New York , Predictive Value of Tests , Treatment Outcome
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