RESUMO
AIMS: The current gold standard of treatment for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is surgical resection with or without adjuvant radiotherapy. However, the increased detection and radical treatment of DCIS did not result in a declined incidence of invasive breast cancers, leading to the debate if DCIS has been overtreated. While ongoing randomised controlled trials on active surveillance of DCIS are still in progress, this systematic review aims to evaluate the best evidence on conservative treatment for DCIS from the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This systematic review was conducted in line with the PRISMA statement. We included all relevant studies published up to June 2022 for analysis. The primary outcomes were overall survival and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) of conservative treatment for DCIS. RESULTS: Three studies, with a total of 34 007 women with low-risk DCIS, were included in the analysis. Active and conservative treatments both resulted in excellent 10-year BCSS, with no statistically insignificant difference (98.6% versus 96.0%, 31 478 women). One study comparing 5-year BCSS of active and conservative treatments only in subjects aged over 80 years also reported [AQ1]an insignificant difference (98.2% versus 96.0%, 2529 women). One study measuring 5- and 10-year overall survival between the treatment groups also reported [AQ1]an insignificant difference (5-year: 96.2% versus 92.4%; 10-year: 85.6% versus 86.7%, 31 106 women). CONCLUSION: BCSS between active and conservative treatment for women with low-risk DCIS is both excellent and comparable, suggesting that conservative treatment is a possible alternative without compromising survival.
Assuntos
Neoplasias da Mama , Carcinoma Ductal de Mama , Carcinoma Intraductal não Infiltrante , Feminino , Humanos , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Carcinoma Intraductal não Infiltrante/terapia , Carcinoma Intraductal não Infiltrante/patologia , Tratamento Conservador , Carcinoma Ductal de Mama/patologia , Carcinoma Ductal de Mama/cirurgia , Neoplasias da Mama/patologia , Mama/patologiaRESUMO
In vivo ultrasound imaging with phased array transducers is of great importance for both clinical application and biomedical research. In this work, relaxor ferroelectric PMN-0.28PT single crystal with very high piezoelectric constant d33 ≥ 2000 pC/N and electromechanical coupling coefficient k33 â¼ 0.92 is used to fabricate high-frequency phased array transducers. A 128-element 20-MHz phased array transducer is successfully fabricated, and the optimized performance of -6 dB average bandwidth of â¼ 84 % and insertion loss of -43 dB are achieved. The axial and lateral imaging resolutions of the transducer are determined to be 81 µm and 243 µm, respectively. With Verasonics image platform, in vivo fisheye images are acquired, demonstrating the potential application of our developed high-frequency phased array transducer for biomedical research on small animals.
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Transdutores , Animais , Desenho de Equipamento , UltrassonografiaRESUMO
The draft genome sequence of Streptomyces fildesensis strain INACH3013, a psychrotrophic bacterium isolated from Northwest Antarctic soil, was reported. The genome sequence totaling 9,306,785 bp resulted from 122 contigs characterized by a GC content of 70.55%.
RESUMO
Gastric leiomyoma of the antrum intussuscepted into first part of the duodenum is a rare complication. We report here an 80-year-old woman who presented at the Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia with early satiety and epigastric fullness for 3 months. She had no prior medical or surgical history other than an uneventful open cholecystectomy. Upper endoscopy showed a large submucosal mass in the first part of duodenum with pyloric converging gastric folds. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen showed a gastroduodenal intussusception with a 4x6cm mass at the junction between the first and second part of duodenum. Laparoscopic transgastric resection was performed. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen confirmed leiomyoma. She remained well at 43 months follow-up.
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Intussuscepção/etiologia , Intussuscepção/cirurgia , Laparoscopia/métodos , Leiomioma/complicações , Leiomioma/cirurgia , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Feminino , Humanos , Intussuscepção/diagnóstico por imagem , Malásia , Neoplasias Gástricas/complicações , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients treated with Helical Tomotherapy (HT) are commonly set up in an extended neck (EN) or a flexed neck (FN) position. This study investigated the dosimetric and set-up accuracy differences between these 2 set-up positions. Twenty NPC patients treated with HT from each set-up position were retrospectively recruited. HT plans were computed using the same target prescription and organs at risks (OARs) constraints for both set-up positions. The doses parameters of the target volumes and OARs were assessed. Daily megavoltage CT images were retrieved to obtain the set-up errors at 4th (C4) and 7th (C7) cervical levels. The mean values of these parameters were compared between the 2 set-up positions. The dose to NP target in FN group was more conformal than EN group, while the conformity of the neck targets in FN group were significantly lower. For the OARs, the temporal lobe, cerebellum, and hippocampus in FN group received significantly lower doses than the EN. However, the optic structures, brain stem, spinal cord, and parotid glands received higher doses in FN group. The systematic errors at C4 and C7 levels in FN group were larger in all translational directions except the ML direction at C7 level. With regard to radiotherapy of NPC patient using helical tomotherapy, FN position reduced doses to intracranial structures but increased doses to optic structures and other structures when compared with the EN position. In terms of set-up accuracy at the neck region, EN position was relatively better.
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Carcinoma Nasofaríngeo/radioterapia , Neoplasias Nasofaríngeas/radioterapia , Pescoço , Posicionamento do Paciente , Postura , Radioterapia de Intensidade Modulada , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Vértebras Cervicais , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Carcinoma Nasofaríngeo/diagnóstico por imagem , Neoplasias Nasofaríngeas/diagnóstico por imagem , Dosagem Radioterapêutica , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) account for substantial attendances at emergency departments (EDs). There is a need to elucidate determinants of antibiotic prescribing in time-strapped EDs - popular choices for primary care despite highly accessible primary care clinics. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with purposively sampled physicians (n = 9) in an adult ED in Singapore. All interviews were analysed using thematic analysis and further interpreted using the Social Ecological Model to explain prescribing determinants. Themes included: (1) reliance on clinical knowledge and judgement, (2) patient-related factors, (3) patient-physician relationship factors, (4) perceived practice norms, (5) policies and treatment guidelines and (6) patient education and awareness. The physicians relied strongly on their clinical knowledge and judgement in managing URTI cases and seldom interfered with their peers' clinical decisions. Despite departmental norms of not prescribing antibiotics for URTIs, physicians would prescribe antibiotics when faced with uncertainty in patients' diagnoses, treating immunocompromised or older patients with comorbidities, and for patients demanding antibiotics, especially under time constraints. Participants had a preference for antibiotic prescribing guidelines based on local epidemiology, but viewed hospital policies on prescribing as a hindrance to clinical judgement. Participants highlighted the need for more public education and awareness on the appropriate use of antibiotics and management of URTIs. Organisational practice norms strongly influenced antibiotic prescribing decisions by physicians, who can be swayed by time pressures and patient demands. Clinical decision support tools, hospital guidelines and patient education targeting at individual, interpersonal and community levels could reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.
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Antibacterianos/administração & dosagem , Infecções Bacterianas/tratamento farmacológico , Serviço Hospitalar de Emergência , Padrões de Prática Médica , Infecções Respiratórias/tratamento farmacológico , Infecções Respiratórias/epidemiologia , Adulto , Envelhecimento , Comorbidade , Uso de Medicamentos , Feminino , Humanos , Hospedeiro Imunocomprometido , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Atenção Primária à Saúde , Singapura , Inquéritos e Questionários , Adulto JovemAssuntos
Previsões , Hospitalização/estatística & dados numéricos , Influenza Humana/mortalidade , Pandemias , Adolescente , Adulto , Distribuição por Idade , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Causas de Morte , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Hong Kong/epidemiologia , Humanos , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , Vírus da Influenza A Subtipo H1N1 , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Distribuição de Poisson , Análise de Regressão , Adulto JovemRESUMO
AIMS: To evaluate the effects of condensed tannins (CTs) fractions of differing molecular weights (MWs) from a Leucaena leucocephala hybrid-Rendang on the rumen protozoal community in vitro. METHODS AND RESULTS: The effects of unfractionated CTs (F0) and CT fractions of different MWs (F1 > F2 > F3 > F4 > F5) on protozoal population and community were evaluated in vitro using rumen microbes and ground guinea grass as the substrate. Higher-MW CT fractions F1 and F2 significantly (P < 0·05) decrease the number of ciliate protozoa. The real-time PCR analysis showed that the total protozoa was significantly (P < 0·05) lower in F0 and all CTs with fractions F1 and F2 having the lowest value. High-throughput sequencing of the partial 18S rRNA gene showed that the genus Entodinium significantly (P < 0·05) decreased with increasing MWs of CT, whereas Anoplodinium-Diplodinium were significantly (P < 0·05) increased. Inclusion of the highest MW CT fraction F1 decreased the relative abundance of the minor genera such as Eudiplodinium and Polyplastron compared to the control and CT fractions F2-F5. CONCLUSION: CTs of differing MWs could reduce and alter the rumen protozoa population in vitro. This effect was more pronounced for higher-MW CTs. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The high MW CTs should be considered as a feed supplement in the ruminant diet to reduce the protozoal population which are known to be associated with methanogens as a means to mitigate methane production in the rumen.
RESUMO
When injected directly into a tumor mass, adenovirus (Ad) vectors only transduce cells immediately along the injection tract. Expression of fusogenic proteins from the Ad vector can lead to syncytium formation, which efficiently spreads the therapeutic effect. Fusogenic proteins can also cause cancer cell death directly, and enhance the release of exosome-like particles containing tumor-associated antigens, which boosts the anti-tumor immune response. In this study, we have examined whether delivery of an early region 1 (E1)-deleted, replication-defective Ad vector encoding the reptilian reovirus p14 fusion-associated small transmembrane (FAST) protein can provide therapeutic efficacy in an immunocompetent mouse tumor model. A high multiplicity of infection of AdFAST is required to induce cell fusion in mouse mammary carcinoma 4T1 cells in vitro, and FAST protein expression caused a modest reduction in cell membrane integrity and metabolic activity compared with cells infected with a control vector. Cells expressing FAST protein released significantly higher quantities of exosomes. In immunocompetent Balb/C mice harboring subcutaneous 4T1 tumors, AdFAST did not induce detectable cancer cell fusion, promote tumor regression or prolong mouse survival compared with untreated mice. This study suggests that in the context of the 4T1 model, Ad-mediated FAST protein expression did not elicit a therapeutic effect.
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Adenoviridae/genética , Neoplasias/imunologia , Proteínas Virais de Fusão/genética , Proteínas Virais/metabolismo , Células A549 , Animais , Apoptose , Fusão Celular , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Vetores Genéticos , Humanos , Masculino , Melanoma Experimental , Proteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Microscopia de Fluorescência , Neoplasias/genéticaRESUMO
The goal of this work is to demonstrate the application of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template as matching layer of ultrasonic transducer. Quarter-wavelength acoustic matching layer is known as a vital component in medical ultrasonic transducers to compensate the acoustic impedance mismatch between piezoelectric element and human body. The AAO matching layer is made of anodic aluminum oxide template filled with epoxy resin, i.e. AAO-epoxy 1-3 composite. Using this composite as the first matching layer, a â¼12MHz ultrasonic transducer based on soft lead zirconate titanate piezoelectric ceramic is fabricated, and pulse-echo measurements show that the transducer exhibits very good performance with broad bandwidth of 68% (-6dB) and two-way insertion loss of -22.7dB. Wire phantom ultrasonic image is also used to evaluate the transducer's performance, and the results confirm the process feasibility and merit of AAO-epoxy composite as a new matching material for ultrasonic transducer application. This matching scheme provides a solution to address the problems existing in the conventional 0-3 composite matching layer and suggests another useful application of AAO template.
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Terapia Cognitivo-Comportamental/métodos , Depressão Pós-Parto/terapia , Período Pós-Parto/psicologia , Psicoterapia de Grupo/métodos , Adulto , Feminino , Hong Kong , Humanos , Cuidado Pós-Natal , Escalas de Graduação Psiquiátrica , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Resultado do Tratamento , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Information technology can help to improve health care delivery. The utilisation of informatics principle enhances the quality of nursing practices through improved communication, documentation and efficiency. The Nursing Profession constitutes 34% of the total workforce in the Hong Kong Hospital Authority (HA) and includes 21,000 nurses in 2012. To enhance the quality of care and patient safety in both hospitals and community care setting, it is essential that an integrated electronic decision support system for nurses is designed to track documentation and support care or service including observations, decisions, actions and outcomes throughout the care process at each point-of-care. The Patient Care Plan project was set up to achieve these objectives. The Project adheres to strict documentation information architecture to ensure data sharing is freely available. Preliminary results showed very promising improvement in clinical care.
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Sistemas de Apoio a Decisões Clínicas , Planejamento de Assistência ao Paciente , Sistemas de Apoio a Decisões Clínicas/organização & administração , Hong Kong , Humanos , Disseminação de Informação , Planejamento de Assistência ao Paciente/organização & administração , Planejamento de Assistência ao Paciente/estatística & dados numéricos , Sistemas Automatizados de Assistência Junto ao Leito , Melhoria de QualidadeRESUMO
Multiferroic tunneling junction based four-state non-volatile memories are very promising for future memory industry since this kind of memories hold the advantages of not only the higher density by scaling down memory cell but also the function of magnetically written and electrically reading. In this work, we demonstrate a success of this four-state memory in a material system of NiFe/BaTiO3/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 with improved memory characteristics such as lower switching field and larger tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR). Ferroelectric switching induced resistive change memory with OFF/ON ratio of 16 and 0.3% TMR effect have been achieved in this multiferroic tunneling structure.
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Hospitalização/estatística & dados numéricos , Isquemia Miocárdica/epidemiologia , Política Antifumo/legislação & jurisprudência , Hong Kong/epidemiologia , Mortalidade Hospitalar , Humanos , Isquemia Miocárdica/etiologia , Isquemia Miocárdica/mortalidade , Distribuição de Poisson , Estações do Ano , Poluição por Fumaça de Tabaco/efeitos adversos , Poluição por Fumaça de Tabaco/legislação & jurisprudência , Poluição por Fumaça de Tabaco/prevenção & controleAssuntos
Doenças Profissionais/prevenção & controle , Exposição Ocupacional/prevenção & controle , Restaurantes , Poluição por Fumaça de Tabaco/prevenção & controle , Coleta de Dados , Hong Kong/epidemiologia , Humanos , Doenças Profissionais/epidemiologia , Doenças Profissionais/etiologia , Exposição Ocupacional/efeitos adversos , Exposição Ocupacional/legislação & jurisprudência , Saúde Pública , Política Antifumo/legislação & jurisprudência , Fumar/legislação & jurisprudência , Prevenção do Hábito de Fumar , Fatores de Tempo , Nicotiana , Poluição por Fumaça de Tabaco/efeitos adversos , Poluição por Fumaça de Tabaco/legislação & jurisprudênciaRESUMO
PURPOSE: This study aims to develop the Chinese version of the Sexual Function after Gynecologic Illness Scale (SFAGIS) and to establish its psychometric properties in Hong Kong Chinese patients with gynecological cancer. METHODS: A Chinese version of SFAGIS was developed using the Brislin model of translation and guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation of scales. The content validity and semantic equivalence were assessed by an expert panel. The translated version of SFAGIS was administered to 150 Hong Kong Chinese women with gynecological cancer to test the scale's psychometric properties and to assess its feasibility. The convergent validity of the Chinese scale was tested by correlating it with the Chinese version of the sex relations subscale of the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale Self-Report (PAIS-SR). RESULTS: The average completion time for the Chinese SFAGIS was 16.2 ± 6.6 min. The internal consistency of the Chinese SFAGIS was 0.93. Test-retest reliability was also high with an interclass correlation coefficient 0.76. A Pearson product-moment correlation found strong correlations among the Chinese SFAGIS and the Chinese version of the sex relations subscale of the PAIS-SR, indicating that both scales measure the same as or has a similar construct. CONCLUSIONS: The Chinese version of SFAGIS is a reliable and valid instrument which can be used in clinical practice and research for assessing sexual function problems in Chinese patients with gynecological cancer and to identify those in need of attention.
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Adaptação Psicológica , Povo Asiático/psicologia , Neoplasias dos Genitais Femininos/psicologia , Psicometria/métodos , Psicometria/normas , Comportamento Sexual/psicologia , Adulto , Estudos de Viabilidade , Feminino , Neoplasias dos Genitais Femininos/cirurgia , Neoplasias dos Genitais Femininos/terapia , Hong Kong , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Neoplasias Ovarianas/psicologia , Neoplasias Ovarianas/cirurgia , Neoplasias Ovarianas/terapia , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Tradução , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/psicologia , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/cirurgia , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/terapia , Neoplasias Vulvares/psicologia , Neoplasias Vulvares/cirurgia , Neoplasias Vulvares/terapiaRESUMO
Global marine vessels emissions are adversely affecting human health particularly in southeast Asia. But health burdens from both ocean- and river-going vessels in Pearl River Delta (PRD) regions are not quantified. We estimated the potential health impacts using pooled relative risks of mortality and hospital admissions in China, and the model derived concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) due to vessels emissions. SO2 concentrations due to marine emissions in Hong Kong were 13.6 µg m⻳ compared with 0.7 µg m⻳ in PRD regions that were far from the marine vessels. In PRD regions, the estimated annual numbers (per million people) of excess deaths from all natural causes and hospital admissions from cardiorespiratory causes attributable to SO2, NO2, O3 and PM10 combined from marine emissions were 45 and 265 respectively. Marine emission control measures could contribute a large reduction in mortality and hospital admissions in PRD regions especially in Hong Kong.