Retrospective analysis of adjuvant therapy using dabrafenib plus trametinib in Japanese patients with advanced melanoma: analysis of 36 cases

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Retrospective analysis of adjuvant therapy using dabrafenib plus trametinib in Japanese patients with advanced melanoma: analysis of 36 cases Via Melanoma Research - Published Ahead-of-Print Patients with resected stage IIIB, IIIC and IIID melanomas have a high risk of recurrence. Therefore, an appropriate protocol for stage III melanoma is needed. Since adjuvant dabrafenib plus trametinib (D+T) combined therapy and anti-PD1 antibody (Ab) therapy reduce the risk of recurrence in patients with resected st age III BRAF-mutated melanoma, selecting the adjuvant therapy for BRAF-mutated melanoma is controversial. The efficacy and safety profiles of D+T combined therapy in the adjuvant setting were retrospectively analyzed in 36 Japanese. BRAF-mutated advanced melanoma patients. The relapse-free rate (RFR) at 12 months was 82.1% (95% confidential interval (CI), 63.9–92.6%). In the 21 patients who completed the protocol, the RFR at 12 months was 85.7% (95% CI, 64.5–95.9%). In the seven patients whose protocol was interrupted by adverse events, the RFR was 71.4% (95% CI, 35.2–92.4%). The incidence rate of any AEs for all patients was 69.7% (95% CI, 52.5–82.8%), including 13 cases of pyrexia, five cases of skin rash and four cases of liver dysfunction. The present study suggested that D+T therapy in the adjuvant setting is a useful and very tolerable protocol for BRAF-mutated melanoma in the Japanese population. Received 8 June 2021 Accepted 14 July 2021 Supplemental Digital Content is available for this article. Direct URL citations appear in the printed text and are provided in the HTML and PDF versions of this article on the journal's website, www.melanomaresearch.com. Correspondence to Taku Fujimura, MD, PhD, Department of Dermatology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8574, Japan, Tel: +81 22 717 7271; fax: +81 22 717 7361; e-mail: tfujimura1@mac.com Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Lower melanoma pulmonary metastatic burden in obese mice: role of FGF-21

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Lower melanoma pulmonary metastatic burden in obese mice: role of FGF-21 Via Melanoma Research - Published Ahead-of-Print Obesity is a risk factor for malignant melanoma. The lungs are main target organs for metastization and their immune response is a key modulator of this mechanism. The concept that the metastatic potential of some types of cancer is reduced or inhibited by obesity, known as the obesity paradox, drives major concerns on the prognosis of metastasized patients. The aim of this study was to investigate how high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity affects melanoma metastization. C57Bl6/J mice were fed with HFD or standard diet for 180 days and inoculated intravenously with B16F10 melanoma cells. Upon 21 days of inoculation, lung tissue of overweight and lean mice was assessed for histology and immunohistochemistry assays. Adipokine antibody arrays were performed in mice serum. In vitro RAW 264.7 macrophage cultures were established and incubated with FGF-21 and/or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Conditioned media was added to B16F10 cells for viability quantification. HFD-fed mice presented a reduced number of metastases with lower proliferative rates. The high content of inflammatory foci observed in noninoculated obese mice was significantly decreased upon B16F10 inoculation, concurrent with a slight fibrosis reduction. Plasma levels of fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21), an endocrine regulator, were elevated in noninoculated HFD mice and the expression of FGF receptor 1 (FGFR-1) was significantly upregulated after inoculation. FGF-21 reduced melanoma viability in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Altogether, these findings suggest that higher amounts of FGF-21 are able to counterbalance the proinflammatory effects associated with obesity, protecting the lungs from melanoma metastization. Received 17 December 2020 Accepted 17 August 2021 Correspondence to Pedro Coelho, PhD, Chemical Sciences and Biomolecules, School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 400 4200 - 072 Porto, Portugal, Tel: +351 222 061 000; e-mail: pvc@ess.ipp.pt Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Prospective study of clinical characteristics of melanoma patients with retinopathy caused by a high-dose interferon α-2b

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Prospective study of clinical characteristics of melanoma patients with retinopathy caused by a high-dose interferon α-2b Via Melanoma Research - Published Ahead-of-Print Retinopathy is a rare side effect of interferon α-2b treatment. The goal of this study was to prospectively investigate the clinical characteristics of Chinese patients with melanomas who developed retinopathy following high doses of interferon α-2b (HD-IFN) therapy. The study included 56 melanoma stage I–III pat ients that were treated with HD-IFN. Fourty-three patients developed HD-IFN-induced retinopathies. Forty-three melanoma patients (76%) developed retinopathy after being treated with HD-IFN. Among these patients, 49% had cotton–wool spots, 19% had retinal hemorrhage, and 30% had retinal hemorrhage. The median time of occurrence of retinopathy was 4 weeks after treatment, and the median time of duration was 4 weeks. No patient showed other symptoms except one who had blurred vision. A comparison of clinical characteristics (age, gender, primary site, stage, and ulceration) and laboratory examinations (white blood cell and platelet counts, hemoglobin, serum lactate dehydrogenase, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and lipid) between the HD-IFN-induced retinopathy patients and nonretinopathy patients did not show any significant differences (P > 0.05). Although all patients that developed retinopathy h ad diabetes or hypertension, an equal percentage of patients were without retinopathy had diabetes or hypertension. HD-IFN therapy in patients with melanomas may induce mild retinopathy. Our results; however, do not necessarily suggest to discontinue the HD-IFN treatment because retinopathy is a reversible disorder. Received 24 October 2020 Accepted 8 July 2021 Correspondence to Di Wu, PhD, Cancer Center, the 1st Hospital of Jilin University, No.1 Xinmin St, Changchun, Jilin Province, 130021 ChinaTel: +86 431 88783170; e-mail: wudi1971@jlu.edu.cn Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Risk Factors for Procurence of Mucormycosis and its Manifestations Post Covid-19: a Single Arm Retrospective Unicentric Clinical Study

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Risk Factors for Procurence of Mucormycosis and its Manifestations Post Covid-19: a Single Arm Retrospective Unicentric Clinical Study Via Otolaryngology Indian Abstract To assess the risk factors causative of ROCM post COVID-19. To determine the clinical manifestations, causative factors leading to surge in ROCM & factors contributing to poor prognosis in ROCM cases occurring in Western Rajasthan post COVID-19. In a Retrospective observational study, 56 post COVID-19 ROCM patients were analyzed from 'May–June 2021' at M.D.M. Hospital, Jodhpur. All patients after onset of disease were assessed as per selection criteria, included patients were examined for risk factors and clinical manifestations & then were statistically evaluated. Median age was 53 years with male to female ratio 2.7:1. Uncontrolled diabetes was noted in at least 85% patients. Steroid use was seen in 66%. Other major contributing factor to ROCM was the occupation; Out of 56 patients 69% were FARMERS.72% had no history of COVID-19 vaccination. Only 3% had no underlying disease. Overall mortality rate was 16% .2 determinants were associated with poor prognosis: higher HbA1c-Out of 7 cases of orbital exenteration, 6 (85%) had HbA1c > 12. 36% took immoderate amounts of Steam inhalation. Maxillary sinuses were the most involved sites (94%). Orbital involvement was seen in 33 and 12% were PL negative. Palatal involvement & intracranial involvement were seen in 14% and 7% respectively. Bilateral disease was seen in 28%. Uncontrolled DM & Humid working conditions came out to be the main predisposing factors for ROCM. Facial pain is considered to be the most common presenting complain. Maxillary sinus is the most involved site. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Effect of Glycerol Administration on ECochG and VEMP Findings in Individual with Meniere's Disease

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Effect of Glycerol Administration on ECochG and VEMP Findings in Individual with Meniere's Disease Via Otolaryngology Indian Abstract The present study aimed to find the effect of glycerol administration on Electrocochleography (ECochG), cervical and ocular Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (c-VEMP, o-VEMP) findings in individual with Meniere's disease. Sixteen participants (32 ears) diagnosed with Meniere's disease underwent ECochG, c-VEMP and o-VEMP for both pre and 1 h post-glycerol administration. Paired t-test indicated that the SP/AP ratio of ECochG measures was significantly improved with post-glycerol administration. There was no significant difference in the mean amplitude of o-VEMP and c-VEMP between pre and post-glycerol administration. However, while individual differences were compared, 75% of the participants reported either improvement in c-VEMP amplitude or newly emerging c-VEMP& o-VEMP. Based on the recommendation by Adams et al. (Otolaryngol Clin North Am 43(5):995–1009, 2010), the improvement on these tests results with post glycerol administration were cons idered as a significant indicator for the presence of Meniere's disease.With post glycerol administration, the present study found that 84%of participants were found to have an improvement in the amplitude for ECochG measures. There was an improvement in the amplitude measures of o-VEMP and c-VEMP, which were observed in 75% and 68%of participants respectively with post-glycerol administration. Improvement in the amplitude of test measures with post-glycerol administration were observed to be more for cochlear potentials of ECochG followed by vestibular potentials of c-VEMP and o-VEMP. Thus, improvement of ECochG amplitude with post-glycerol administration might serve as an additional indicator for the presence of Meniere's disease. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

The Efficacy of Septal Quilting Sutures Versus Nasal Packing in Septoplasty

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader The Efficacy of Septal Quilting Sutures Versus Nasal Packing in Septoplasty Via Otolaryngology Indian Abstract Nasal packing is the classic method adopted by many otolaryngologists to stabilize the nasal septum and decrease the occurrence of postoperative bleeding and septal hematoma after septoplasty. However, because of its associated postoperative morbidity, many surgeons started to adopt alternative methods. This study aimed to assess the outcome and benefits of septal quilting sutures in comparison to nasal packing after septoplasty. A prospective non-randomized comparative interventional study was carried out at two teaching hospitals in Mosul city from January 2020 to January 2021. A total of 60 patients who were candidates for septoplasty, were included in the study. According to the surgeon's preference; 30 patients had placement of septal quilting sutures (group A), and in the other 30 patients nasal packing was performed (group B). Patients were assessed for postoperative morbidity and early outcome in the first 24 h, 1 week and 1 month postopera tively. In the first 24 h after septoplasty, patients in group B had significantly higher levels of nasal/facial pain, headache, sleep disturbance, breathing difficulties and swallowing difficulties compared to group A (p < 0.001). Over the follow up period of 1 month, no significant differences were recorded regarding postoperative bleeding, hematoma, infection, adhesions formation and septal perforation between the two groups (p > 0.05). Septal quilting sutures technique is more favorable in the early period in terms of patient discomfort after septoplasty, better nasal block and nasal/facial pain, the absence of misery on pack removal, with minimal bleeding after surgery. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Variation of Harmonics to Noise Ratio from the Age Range of 9–18 Years Old in both the Genders

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Variation of Harmonics to Noise Ratio from the Age Range of 9–18 Years Old in both the Genders Via Otolaryngology Indian Abstract Voice is the perception of physical complexity of the laryngeal tone modified by a resonating cavity. The voice parameters are the vital signs of an individual to project their personality and gender. The basic acoustical parameters of voice are: Fundamental frequency, Intensity, Jitter, Shimmer and Harmonics to noise ratio (HNR) and among these parameters HNR is the most significant. The voice component represents the periodic and aperiodic signals and predominantly aperiodic signals. There are many research work have been documented on acoustical analysis of voice with narrowed age range at different zonals in India. The motive of the study was mainly focused on the ratio between periodic and aperiodic components of voice and its changes from pre pubertal to post pubertal stages in both the genders. Due to the paucity of literature on changes in HNR in developing children, the present study was conducted to find out how do the changes in HNR occur in both the g enders. Observational study design with convenient sampling method was used for the collection of raw data. A total of 198 subjects comprising of group I males (n = 99) and group II females (n = 99). These groups were further subdivided into 9 sub groups in males (n = 99) and females (n = 99) based on the age range. Sustained phonation of /a/ was used as a stimulus for voice sample. The data was analyzed using PRAAT software. The over mean Harmonic to Noise Ratio was found to be higher in males compared to the females. When age wise comparison was done, a significant difference in the Harmonic to Noise Ratio was found in males with no significant changes noticed in females. The transition in the Harmonic to Noise Ratio in males was seen to start at the age of 14–15 years. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Excising or preserving perforation margins in endoscopic transtympanic cartilage myringoplasty does not affect surgical success

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Excising or preserving perforation margins in endoscopic transtympanic cartilage myringoplasty does not affect surgical success Via Clinical Otolaryngology Abstract Objective To compare the outcome of endoscopic transtympanic cartilage myringoplasty with and without removal of perforation edges for repairing chronic perforations with mucosal chronic otitis media (COM). Study design Quasi-randomized clinical trial. Setting Tertiary referral center. Materials and Methods Patients with chronic perforations and mucosal COM undergoing endoscopic transtympanic cartilage myringoplasty were allocated to a control group for whom the perforation edges were preserved (n=40) and an intervention group for whom the edges were removed (n=39). Mean operation time, graft success rate, mean scores of graft neovascularization and epithelialization, and hearing were compared between the groups at 4 weeks and/or 6 months postoperatively. Results Graft success rate was 95% (38/40) in the control group and 97% (38/39) in the intervention group at 6 months postoperatively; the difference was not significant. Mean graft neovascularization scores 4 weeks postoperatively were 2.52±0.59 in the control group and 2.58±0.55 in the intervention group; the difference was not significant. Mean graft epithelization scores 4 weeks postoperatively were 1.48±0.57 in the control group and 1.68±0.51 in the intervention group; the difference was not significant, and remained nonsignificant 6 months postoperatively (2.5±0.55 vs. 2.76±0.36). Audiological outcomes at 6 months did not differ between the groups. Conclusion Endoscopic, transtympanic cartilage underlay myringoplasty with preservation of the perforation margins did not affect graft neovascularization, epithelialization, or success. Longer-term outcomes and risk of cholesteatoma, require further study. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Fully Automated Measurement of Cochlear Duct Length From Clinical Temporal Bone Computed Tomography

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Fully Automated Measurement of Cochlear Duct Length From Clinical Temporal Bone Computed Tomography Via The Laryngoscope Objectives/Hypothesis To present and validate a novel fully automated method to measure cochlear dimensions, including cochlear duct length (CDL). Study Design Cross-sectional study. Methods The computational method combined 1) a deep learning (DL) algorithm to segment the cochlea and otic capsule and 2) geometric analysis to measure anti-modiolar distances from the round window to the apex. The algorithm was trained using 165 manually segmented clinical computed tomography (CT). A Testing group of 159 CTs were then measured for cochlear diameter and width (A- and B-values) and CDL using the automated system and compared against manual measurements. The results were also compared with existing approaches and historical data. In addition, pre- and post-implantation scans from 27 cochlear implant recipients were studied to compare predicted versus actual array insertion depth. Results Measurements were successfully obtained in 98.1% of scans. The mean CDL to 900° was 35.52 mm (SD, 2.06; range, [30.91–40.50]), the mean A-value was 8.88 mm (0.47; [7.67–10.49]), and mean B-value was 6.38 mm (0.42; [5.16–7.38]). The R 2 fit of the automated to manual measurements was 0.87 for A-value, 0.70 for B-value, and 0.71 for CDL. For anti-modiolar arrays, the distance between the imaged and predicted array tip location was 0.57 mm (1.25; [0.13–5.28]). Conclusion Our method provides a fully automated means of cochlear analysis from clinical CTs. The distribution of CDL, dimensions, and cochlear quadrant lengths is similar to those from historical data. This approach requires no radiographic experience and is free from user-related variation. Level of Evidence 3 Laryngoscope, 2021 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Lesser Known Uses of γ‐Aminobutyric Acid Analogue Medications in Otolaryngology

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Lesser Known Uses of γ‐Aminobutyric Acid Analogue Medications in Otolaryngology Via The Laryngoscope Objectives/Hypothesis In otolaryngology, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogues have been previously analyzed for their roles in neuropathic pain, chronic cough, tinnitus, and perioperative analgesia. The primary aim of this study is to comprehensively summarize and synthesize the existing evidence for lesser known uses of gabapentin and pregabalin in otolaryngology. Study Design A scoping review conducted of the available English-language literature was performed by two authors through April 1, 2021. Methods The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis criteria were followed, and a quality assessment of included studies was performed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies. Results Ten studies met inclusion criteria. Three studies found that gabapentin may reduce gastrostomy tube usage and improve swallowing function in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy (RT). Three studies suggested that gabapentin may help reduce opiate use when used as a primary analgesic in patients with radiation-induced mucositis. One study demonstrated that pregabalin-reduced trismus severity in patients with radiotherapy-induced trismus. One study demonstrated gabapentin may be useful in patients with phonasthenia. Two studies demonstrated that GABA analogues may be a useful adjunct in patients with globus pharyngeus in the context of likely laryngeal sensory neuropathy. Conclusions The most promising potential uses for GABA analogues identified in this review are for improving swallowing, trismus, and narcotic overuse after RT. The benefit of GABA analogues for improving nonorganic voice disorders is also promising while the benefit for globus pharyngeus when possibly related to laryngeal sensory neuropathy is inconclusive. Laryngoscope, 2021 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Assessment of pharyngeal motor function using a novel velopharyngeal squeeze maneuver and a novel endoscopic pharyngeal contraction grade scale in patients with dysphagia after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Assessment of pharyngeal motor function using a novel velopharyngeal squeeze maneuver and a novel endoscopic pharyngeal contraction grade scale in patients with dysphagia after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma Via Head & Neck Abstract Background To investigate a novel velopharyngeal squeeze maneuver (VPSM) and novel endoscopic pharyngeal contraction grade (EPCG) scale for the evaluation of pharyngeal motor function. Methods During endoscopic examination of 77 post-irradiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients and control subjects, VPSM was rated and lateral pharyngeal wall movement graded with EPCG scale during swallowing. Pharyngeal constriction ratio (PCR) measured by videofluoroscopy was used for correlation. Results VPSM and EPCG scale showed almost perfect intra-rater and inter-rater reliability (Kappa: >0.90). VPSM was present in 61% of patients suggesting good pharyngeal motor function. VPSM was predictive of EPCG scale (Wald statistic = 29.99, p < 0.001). EPCG scale also correlated strongly with PCR (r: 0.812) and was predictive for aspiration (odds ratio: 22.14 [95% CI 5.01–97.89, p < 0.001]). Conclusions VPSM and EPCG scale are two novel tools to assess pharyngeal motor function, and both correlate well with pharyngeal contractility and aspiration. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.