Clinical impact of clonal hematopoiesis in hematopoietic cell transplantation: a review, metaanalysis, and call to action.

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is the only potentially curative treatment option for many patients with hematologic malignancies. While HCT outcomes have improved drastically over the years, patients and clinicians continue to face numerous survivorship challenges, such as relapse, graft-versushost disease, and secondary malignancies. Recent literature suggests that clonal hematopoiesis (CH), the presence of a recurrent somatic mutation in hematopoietic cells, in HCT patients or donors may be associated with outcomes in autologous and allogeneic HCT. Herein, we perform a review of the literature and summarize reported associations between CH and clinical outcomes in HCT. For commonly reported outcomes, we used meta-analysis methods to provide estimates of effect sizes when combining results. A total of 32 articles with relevant and independent contributions were included, covering both autologous (n = 19) and allogeneic (n = 13) HCT. The articles report variable risk for developing outcomes according to CH characteristics, patient disease status, and method of HCT. Using meta-analysis of available results, HCT outcomes with statistically significant effects by CH status include therapy-related myeloid neoplasms (OR 3.65, 95%CI 2.18-6.10) and overall survival (HR 1.38, 95%CI 1.20-1.58) in autologous HCT and relapse (HR 0.80, 95%CI 0.68-0.94) in allogeneic HCT. However, heterogeneity, biases, and limitations in the literature provide challenges for informing the translation of CH to clinical decision-making. We conclude with a call to action and discussion of next steps to build upon the current literature and provide granularity to the true clinical impact of CH in the setting of HCT.

Association between radiotherapy and obstructive sleep apnea in head and neck cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate association between OSA and radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients. METHODS: On 9th of September 2018, we have searched 12 electronic databases to retrieve relevant studies. All eligible studies that assessed association between OSA and radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients were included in our meta-analysis. Quality assessment of included studies was done using the NIH tools for cohort, cross-sectional and case series studies. RESULTS: Fourteen studies met our study selection criteria, and six studies were eligible for our meta-analysis. There was no significant association between occurrence of OSA and radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients (Odds ratio 1.54, 95% CI [0.66-3.60]; P  =  0.322). CONCLUSION: These findings point to no significant association between OSA risk and radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients. We suggest more studies to be conducted to investigate any confounders that may influence the effect of radiotherapy on development of OSA in head and neck cancer patients.

Outcomes of combined use of topical and intravenous tranexamic acid on surgical field quality during functional endoscopic sinus surgery: Randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative bleeding during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) poses a challenge to both surgeon and anesthetist. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of local, intravenous and combined use of tranexamic acid (TA) in improving the surgical field quality during FESS. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled double-blinded prospective trial on 120 patients scheduled for elective FESS. After induction of general anesthesia, patients were randomly and evenly assigned to one of four groups; IV TA, local TA, both IV and local TA, and placebo. Surgical field was assessed using five-point Boezaart scale. Total fentanyl and esmolol consumption, operative time, recovery time, and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: Surgical field quality score was the best in IV and local TA group compared to others (p < 0.001). Mean operative time was found significantly shorter in IV and local TA group than placebo one. Total fentanyl consumption was significantly lower in IV and local TA group comparing to others (p = 0.025). Mean recovery time was significantly shorter for IV and local TA group compared to others. Total fentanyl consumption was significantly lower in IV and local TA group comparing to others. No significant differences were found of mean arterial pressure and heart rate decline in four groups. None of the patients in four groups required esmolol administration. No statistically significant differences were found in change of hemoglobin, hematocrit, prothrombin time, and partial thromboplastin time over time in all groups. CONCLUSION: The combined use of topical and intravenous TA provided the best surgical field in FESS, less fentanyl consumption, and less recovery time without causing significant side effects.

Amlodipine as adjuvant therapy to current chelating agents for reducing iron overload in thalassaemia major: a systematic review, meta-analysis and simulation of future studies.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Iron overload in thalassaemia is a crucial prognostic factor and a major cause of death due to heart failure or arrhythmia. Therefore, previous research has recommended amlodipine as an auxiliary treatment to current chelating agents for reducing iron overload in thalassaemia patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the results of three randomized clinical trials evaluating the use of amlodipine in thalassaemia patients through 12 databases were carried out. RESULTS: Our final cohort included 130 patients. Insignificant difference in decreasing liver iron concentrations was found between amlodipine and control groups {weighted mean difference = -0·2, [95% confidence interval = (-0·55-0·15), P = 0·26]}. As regards serum ferritin, our analysis also showed no significant difference in serum ferritin between amlodipine and control groups {weighted mean difference [95% confidence interval = -0·16 (-0·51-0·19), P = 0·36]}. Similarly, there was insignificant difference in cardiac T2* between amlodipine and control groups {weighted mean difference [95% confidence interval = 0·34 (-0·01-0·69), P = 0·06]}. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the growing evidence supporting the role of amlodipine in reducing iron overload in thalassaemia patients, our meta-analysis did not find that evidence collectively significant. The results of our simulation suggest that when more data are available, a meta-analysis with more randomized clinical trials could provide more conclusive insights.

Impact of political conflict on tuberculosis notifications in North-east Nigeria, Adamawa State: a 7-year retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the impact of political conflict (Boko Haram) on tuberculosis (TB) case notifications in Adamawa State in North-east Nigeria. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of TB case notifications from TB registers (2010-2016) to describe changes in TB notification, sex and age ratios by the degree of conflict by local government area. SETTING: Adamawa State. PARTICIPANTS: 21 076 TB cases notified. RESULTS: 21 076 cases (62% male) were notified between 2010 and 2016, of which 19 604 (93%) were new TB cases. Areas affected by conflict in 2014 and 2015 had decreased case notification while neighbouring areas reported increased case notifications. The male to female ratio of TB cases changed in areas in conflict with more female cases being notified. The young and elderly (1-14 and >65 years old) had low notifications in all areas, with a small increase in case notifications during the years of conflict. CONCLUSION: TB case notifications decreased in conflict areas and increased in areas without conflict. More males were notified during peace times and more female cases were reported from areas in conflict. Young and elderly populations had decreased case notifications but experienced a slight increase during the conflict years. These changes are likely to reflect population displacement and a dissimilar effect of conflict on the accessibility of services. TB services in conflict areas deserve further study to identify resilient approaches that could reach affected populations.

Primary lymph node sites in Hodgkin lymphoma and the risk of second primary cancers: a population-based study.

Aim: Little is known about the association between specific primary lymph node (LN) sites and the risk of developing second primary cancers in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients. Materials & methods: To fill this knowledge gap, we used the multiple primary standardized incidence ratio function of the SEER*stat program to explore such an association for multiple latency periods. Results: Several SPCs occurred at various time points following different primary LN presentations of HL. Conclusion: HL survivors may benefit from a tailored primary LN site-specific follow-up screening.

Mast cell mediators in relation to dengue severity: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Degranulation of mast cells (MCs) releases several mediators such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), chymase, tryptase, histamine, and cytokines, which all have important roles in the severity of dengue infection. We aimed to investigate the role of MCs in severity of dengue. METHODS: We searched for relevant studies in 10 databases on 15 August 2016. Meta-analysis (MA) was conducted by R version 3.5.0. RESULTS: We included 24 studies. in vivo and in vitro studies showed higher MC products released from infected mice/cells with dengue virus. In addition, when administering MC stabilizers or antihistaminic drugs, there was a decrease in vascular/capillary permeability. In human and at early stages, studies revealed an insignificant difference in VEGF levels in dengue fever (DF) versus dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) (standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.145; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.348-0.638). Meanwhile, at acute stages and compared with healthy controls, high heterogeneity with an inconclusive difference in VEGF levels were noted in DF and DHF. However, pooled serum and plasma levels of VEGF were increased significantly in dengue shock syndrome (DSS) versus healthy controls (SMD 0.65; 95% CI, 0.3-0.95). There were also significantly higher chymase levels in DHF patients compared with DF during the acute phase (MD -6.531; 95% CI, -12.2 to -0.9). CONCLUSION: VEGF and chymase levels are mediators in dengue pathogenesis. However, limited data were available to support their role in severe dengue cases. Further studies are needed to evaluate the function of other mediators in dengue severity.

Prognostic factors and nomogram for survival prediction in patients with primary pulmonary lymphoma: a SEER population-based study.

Primary pulmonary lymphomas (PPLs) are rare lymphoproliferative malignancies arising from the lungs. The prognostic factors and optimal management of PPL have not been clearly defined due to its rarity. This study sought to characterize the significant prognostic factors and develop a validated nomogram for individualized prediction of survival outcomes in patients with PPL. A total of 2325 patients diagnosed with PPL between 1983 and 2010 were identified using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Older age at diagnosis, males, Hispanic race, non-marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue histology, Ann Arbor stage IV were significantly associated with worse OS on multivariable analysis. All treatment modalities, including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy were independent predictors of survival on univariable analysis. The nomogram built demonstrated good discriminative ability and calibration, with the C-index of 0.690 and 0.730 in the training and validation cohorts, respectively.

The role of primary lymph node sites in survival and mortality prediction in Hodgkin lymphoma: a SEER population-based retrospective study.

As diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for Hodgkin's Lymphoma (HL) continue to improve, patient-related factors affecting survival become more difficult to identify. Very little is known about the relationship between the primary site of lymph node (LN) involvement and survival of HL patients. We retrospectively analyzed the United States Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database for 12,658 HL patients reported between 1973 and 2010 using survival analysis and time-interval multiple logistic regression (MLR) to disclose that relationship. The effect of all primary LN sites on the survival of HL patients was supported. The intra-abdominal (IAB) primary LN site was significantly associated with the worst survival. The pelvic (P) LN sites were significantly and independently associated with nearly 2 times and 2.5 times the probability of having 1-year overall mortality (OM) and 1-year cancer-specific mortality (CSM), respectively. Head, face and neck (HFN) primary LN sites were significant and independent predictors of better overall and HL-specific survival. A worse survival with the intra-abdominal primary LN site was probably related to their association with higher age, or advanced stages of HL. The biological basis behind the aggressiveness of intra-abdominal and pelvic LN sites is yet to be investigated.

The history of reimbursements in neurology.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) addresses consumer protection, employer-provided insurance coverage, as well as the government's role in providing health care access to the most vulnerable populations. Within the practice of neurology, the PPACA has the challenging goal of reconciling the needs of the growing elderly population with the financial barriers to costly yet available health care services. To bridge that gap, all health care professionals working in the field of neurology must reflect on the effect previous Medicare reimbursement policies have had on the current practice of neurology, and utilize lessons learned in recent years. The test of time will tell whether the PPACA will achieve the goal of decreasing in health care spending while ensuring quality universal healthcare services.