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Πέμπτη 17 Φεβρουαρίου 2022

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma in adolescent patients: A Case Series

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Abstract

1. Majority of adolescent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients present with advanced locoregional disease.

2. The ethnic distribution of patients with adolescent NPC could be different from that of adult NPC suggesting a possible difference in aetiopathogenesis.

3. The late presentation of adolescent NPC underlies the importance of recognizing the clinical presentation and characteristics of this cancer.

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Prognostic value of hypothyroidism in patients undergoing intensity‐modulated radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

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Abstract

Background

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of hypothyroidism and thyroxine replacement therapy on the prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients.

Methods

The clinical data of 284 NPC patients, who received intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) between January 2011 and December 2016, were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

Hypothyroidism occurred in 38% of patients. Patients with hypothyroidism had significantly better disease-free survival (DFS) (p = 0.002) and relapse-free survival (RFS) (p = 0.008). Multivariate analysis showed that hypothyroidism was a positive independent prognostic factor (DFS and RFS). Among the patients with hypothyroidism, thyroxine replacement therapy did not yield inferior survival (DFS, RFS, all p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The NPC patients with complete response are at risk of hypothyroidism, which is attributable to escalating dose. These patients experienced clinical hypothyroidism could be adequately treated with thyroid hormone replacement. Further investigation of the underlying biological mechanism and potential therapeutic implications are required.

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Running a paediatric ambulatory sleep service in a pandemic and beyond

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES

In response COVID-19, re-establishing safe elective services was prioritised in the UK. We assess the impact on face-to-face hospital attendance, cost, and efficiency of implementing a virtual sleep clinic (intervention 1) to screen for children requiring level 3 ambulatory sleep studies using newly implemented ENT-UK guidelines for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) investigation (intervention 2). Objectives: (1) compare the proportion of children attending sleep clinic undertaking a sleep study before and after implementation of these interventions; (2) compare clinic cancellations and first-time success rates of sleep studies before and after intervention.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis.

SETTING

District general hospital paediatric sleep clinic.

PARTICIPANTS

Children aged 3 months to 16 years referred to sleep clinic by ENT for investigation of OSA over the 3-months immediately following interventions (1 June 2020 – 1 September 2020) to the same period in the previous year (1 June 2019 – 1 September 2019).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Number of children attending sleep clinic; date of birth / age of children attending sleep clinic; of number of children undergoing sleep study; diagnostic outcomes; number of appointment cancellations; number of first-time sleep study failures.

RESULTS

Post-intervention, there was a significant reduction in the proportion of children undertaking ambulatory sleep studies, and non-significant reductions in appointment cancellations and in first-time sleep study failures.

CONCLUSIONS

The introduction of the virtual sleep clinic meant that only those children requiring a sleep study attended a face-to-face appointment, which led to reduced face-to-face attendance. There were also unintended cost-effectiveness and efficiency benefits, with potential longer-term learning implications for the wider sleep community and other diagnostic services.

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Impact of Liposomal Bupivacaine on Post-Operative Pain and Opioid Usage in Thyroidectomy

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Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2022 Feb 16:34894221079095. doi: 10.1177/00034894221079095. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Opioid analgesia has been integral in post-operative pain control for decades. The over-prescription of opioids, commonly in the surgical patient, has contributed to the current opioid epidemic. Liposomal bupivacaine (LB), a long-acting analgesia formulation, has demonstrated decreased post-operative pain and opioid requirements in patients treate d across multiple surgical subspecialties. The aims of this retrospective study are to assess post-operative pain and opioid use in patients who received LB at the time of thyroidectomy.

METHODS: A cohort-matched retrospective review of patients who underwent thyroidectomy by 2 surgeons between January 2010 and December 2019 was performed. Patients were divided into those that received LB intraoperatively and those that did not. Statistical analyses were performed using the Chi-square or Fisher's exact test, and 2-sample T-test or Wilcoxon rank sum test.

RESULTS: Of the 201 patients included in this study, 113 patients received LB and 88 did not. Patients who received LB had a lower median visual analog scale (VAS) pain score (2 vs 3, P = .2252), lower maximum VAS pain score (6 vs 7, P = .0898), were less likely to require opioid medications (73.5% vs 85.2%, P = .0434), and had a lower percentage of daily morphine milligram equivalent value � �45 (89.8% vs 95.3%, P = .1581) during the post-operative period when compared to those that did not.

CONCLUSION: This study suggests a role for incisional infiltration with LB for post-operative pain management in patients undergoing transcervical thyroidectomy. We report reduced post-operative pain scores and opioid analgesia requirements in patients who received LB.

PMID:35172629 | DOI:10.1177/00034894221079095

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Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor/nuclear factor E2‐related factor 2 (AHR/NRF2) Signaling: A Novel Therapeutic Target for Atopic Dermatitis

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Abstract

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)/nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) modulation are emerging as novel targets in the treatment of atopic dermatitis and other inflammatory skin disorders. Agonist activation of this pathway has downstream effects on epidermal barrier function, immunomodulation, oxidative stress reduction, and cutaneous microbiome modulation. Tapinarof, a dual agonist of the AHR/NRF2 signaling pathway, has shown promise in phase 2 trials for atopic dermatitis. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of the AHR/NRF2 pathway and implications in skin disease process. We also review the therapeutic potential of current AHR agonists and propose future directions to address knowledge gaps.

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Triazine-based porous organic polymers for reversible capture of iodine and utilization in antibacterial application

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Sci Rep. 2022 Feb 16;12(1):2638. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-06671-0.

ABSTRACT

The capture and safe storage of radioactive iodine (129I or 131I) are of a compelling significance in the generation of nuclear energy and waste storage. Because of their physiochemical properties, Porous Organic Polymers (POPs) are considered to be one of the most sought classes of materials for iodine capture and storage. Herein, we report on the preparation and characterization of tw o triazine-based, nitrogen-rich, porous organic polymers, NRPOP-1 (SABET = 519 m2 g-1) and NRPOP-2 (SABET = 456 m2 g-1), by reacting 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine or 1,4-bis-(2,4-diamino-1,3,5-triazine)-benzene with thieno[2,3-b]thiophene-2,5-dicarboxaldehyde, respectively, and their use in the capture of volatile iodine. NRPOP-1 and NRPOP-2 showed a high adsorption capacity of iodine vapor with an uptake of up to 317 wt % at 80 °C and 1 bar and adequate recyclability. The NRPOPs were also capable of removing up to 87% of iodine from 300 mg L-1 iodine-cyclohexane solution. Furthermore, the iodine-loaded polymers, I2@NRPOP-1 and I2@NRPOP-2, displayed good antibacterial activity against Micrococcus luteus (ML), Escherichia coli (EC), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PSA). The synergic functionality of these novel polymers makes them promising materials to the environment and public health.

PMID:35173259 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-022-06671-0

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Subclinical breast lymphedema as a possible risk of breast angiosarcoma

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J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2022 Feb 2:S1748-6815(22)00049-3. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2022.01.041. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:35172950 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2022.01.041

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Midline epigastric scars can be associated with higher umbilical complications following DIEP flap harvest

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J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2022 Jan 21:S1748-6815(22)00040-7. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2022.01.023. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Umbilical complications can be relatively common after breast reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps. The medial umbilical ligaments and the ligamentum teres hepatis can be the sole blood supply to the umbilicus after a DIEP flap harvest. Prior incisions along the epigastric midline may disrupt the ligamentum teres hepatis. In this retrospective study, we assess the influence of previous midline epigastric scars on umbilical complications after DIEP flap harvest.

METHODS: All patients who underwent breast reconstruction with DIEP flaps were identified at an academic institution over six years. Relevant sociodemographic and clinicopathologic factors were reviewed in the electronic medical records. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the role of clinical variables to predict the chance of umbilical complications.

RESULTS: A total of 243 patients met inclusion criteria, with 39 patients (16%) having prior surgery utilizing midline epigastric incisions. Twenty-one patients had umbilical complications. No significant difference in patient characteristics was found between patients with and without prior midline epigastric scars. Patients with a history of previous midline epigastric scars had a higher rate of umbilical complications (20.5% vs. 6.4%, p < 0.01). Bilateral medial row perforator-based DIEP flap harvest was also related to a higher rate of umbilical complications (18.4% vs. 6.2% p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: Previous midline epigastric scars are associated with higher rates of umbilical complications after DIEP flap harvest. Bilateral medial row perforator-based DIEP flap harvest exacerbates the rate of umbilical complications and should be avoided in patients with prior midline epigastric i ncision whenever possible.

PMID:35172949 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2022.01.023

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Association Between Body Mass Index and Thyroid Cancer in Children With Thyroid Nodules

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This cross-sectional study examines whether body mass index in children with thyroid nodules is associated with thyroid cancer and a greater likelihood of undergoing thyroid surgery.
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Leveraging Molecular Assays to Aid Decision-making in Large Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules

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To the Editor We read with great interest the recently published article by Dublin et al in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, where it was shown that for indeterminate nodules larger than 4 cm, the positive-predictive value of a genomic classifier test (ThyroSeq) was 50% and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 89%. These values were noted to be improved relative to the test's performance on smaller nodules. The authors point out that the 2015 American Thyroid Association guidelines suggest that total thyroidectomy may be preferred for indeterminate nodules that are large (>4 cm) to limit completion thyroidectomy and conclude from their analysis that thyroid lobectomy may be sufficient for genomic classifier-negative indeterminate nodules.
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Laryngeal High-Speed Videoendoscopy with Laser Illumination: A Preliminary Report

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Via Polyps

Otolaryngol Pol. 2021 Sep 7;75(6):1-10. doi: 10.5604/01.3001.0015.2575.

ABSTRACT

<br><b>Introduction:</b> Advances in computer image analysis have enabled the use of new functional imaging methods in the diagnosis of laryngeal diseases. Particularly interesting techniques of dynamic laryngeal imaging involve High Speed Videoendoscopy (HSV). This still-developed technique allows to overcome the limitations of laryngovideostroboscopy (LVS) and a more detailed analysis of the glottal function based on the image of the actual vibrations of the vocal folds. It also enables the determination of objective coefficients parameterizing phonatory vibrations of the vocal folds.</br> <br><b>Aim:</b> The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the use of a high-speed videoendoscopy set with laser illumination for the diagnosis of glottic pathology in ENT practice.</br> <br><b>Material and methods: </b> The study included 40 patients who underwent LVS followed by HSV. The modern HSV examination kit - Advanced Larynx Imager System (ALIS), used for the first time in a clinical setting in Poland, is characterized by significantly improved, compared to the previously used high-speed cameras, operational parameters - a light head, the possibility of continuous lighting operation without excessive heating of the head tip, registration of the image in full color scale. Thanks to such modernization, the safety and course of the examination do not differ from laryngoscopy conducted with commonly used recorders. The device owes some of these improvements to a laser illuminator which was used for the first time as the main light source in a high-speed camera. In the study, two cases were selected to present the results of HSV and the analysis of the generated kymograms - a woman with no glottic pathology and a man with a polyp of the right vocal fold. In the first case, the HSV exa mination compared with the LVS revealed a discrete glottis functional disorder in the form of a tendency to hyperphonation. The patient with an organic lesion had a clearly visible irregularity of vocal fold vibrations, which also allowed to trace mucosal wave disturbances related to its reflection from the pathological structure of the glottis and the formation of a return wave, both on the fold affected by the lesion and, to a lesser extent, contralaterally. The glottic dysfunctions observed in the studied patients were confirmed in the generated kymograms and the graphs of the glottal width waveform (GWW), as well as in the parameters calculated on their basis, assessing the frequency and amplitude of phonatory vibrations.</br> <br><b>Conclusions:</b> The use of high-speed videoendoscopy allows for a much more accurate assessment of the phonatory function of the glottis than in laryngovideostroboscopy. The presented HSV system allows for obtaining high qua lity kinematic images of the larynx, color fidelity, and contrast. The use of this technology in laryngological practice enables precise structural and functional assessment of the glottis and detection of discrete phonation disorders that elude the techniques used so far.</br&gt.

PMID:35175220 | DOI:10.5604/01.3001.0015.2575

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Patulous Eustachian tube: Deep breath for a diagnosis

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Ear Nose Throat J. 2022 Feb 17:1455613211051793. doi: 10.1177/01455613211051793. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Significance Statement: Eustachian tube disorders are common outpatient otologic presentations that can present a diagnostic challenge due to overlapping symptoms. This article will focus on patulous Eustachian tube, how the symptoms can overlap with those of Eustachian tube dysfunction, and the diagnostic insight offered by a close inspection of the tympan ic membrane.

PMID:35175873 | DOI:10.1177/01455613211051793

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