Distinct Cognitive Trajectories According to Amyloid Positivity in Non-Alzheimer Disease Dementias.

BACKGROUND: The clinical effects of ß-amyloid positivity (Aß+) on copathologies in various dementias remain relatively underexamined. Thus, the present study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and clinical effects of Aß+ in subcortical vascular cognitive impairment (SVCI) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled SVCI (n = 583), FTD (n = 152), and cognitively unimpaired (CU) participants (n = 1,249) who underwent Aß PET scans. The odds of having Aß+ were subsequently compared among the diagnostic groups (CU, SVCI, and FTD) according to age and apolipoprotein E genotype. Additionally, a linear mixed-effects model was used to investigate the effects of Aß+ on cognitive trajectories in SVCI and FTD. RESULTS: Compared with CU, the SVCI group had a higher prevalence of Aß+ in the 75 to 90 years age group (adjusted odds ratio, 1.97; 95% confidence interval, 1.36-2.85; P < 0.001), as well as within the apolipoprotein E ε3/ε3 group (adjusted odds ratio, 1.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-2.63; P = 0.001), whereas the FTD group showed no difference in Aß+ prevalence. Aß+ was associated with a worse cognitive trajectory in SVCI (adjusted ß-coefficient = -0.6424; P < 0.001), but not in FTD. CONCLUSIONS: These findings contribute to our understanding of Aß biomarker traits in various dementias in Korea.

Ethnic differences in the prevalence of amyloid positivity and cognitive trajectories.

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the prevalence of amyloid beta (Aß) positivity (+) and cognitive trajectories in Koreans and non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs). METHODS: We included 5121 Koreans from multiple centers across South Korea and 929 NHWs from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Participants underwent Aß positron emission tomography and were categorized into cognitively unimpaired (CU), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia stages. Age, sex, education, and apolipoprotein E. genotype were adjusted using multivariable logistic regression and stabilized inverse probability of treatment weights based on the propensity scores to mitigate imbalances in these variables. RESULTS: The prevalence of Aß+ was lower in CU Koreans than in CU NHWs (adjusted odds ratio 0.60). Aß+ Koreans showed a faster cognitive decline than Aß+ NHWs in the CU (B = -0.314, p = .004) and MCI stages (B = -0.385, p < .001). DISCUSSION: Ethnic characteristics of Aß biomarkers should be considered in research and clinical application of Aß-targeted therapies in diverse populations. HIGHLIGHTS: Koreans have a lower prevalence of Aß positivity compared to NHWs in the CU stage. The effects of Alzheimer's risk factors on Aß positivity differ between Koreans and NHWs. Aß-positive (Aß+) Koreans show faster cognitive decline than Aß+ NHWs in the CU and MCI stages.

Long-term effects of local radiotherapy on growth and vertebral features in children with high-risk neuroblastoma.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effects of local radiotherapy (RT) on growth, we evaluated the chronological growth profiles and vertebral features of children with high-risk neuroblastoma. METHODS: Thirty-eight children who received local photon or proton beam therapy to the abdomen or retroperitoneum between January 2014 and September 2019 were included. Simple radiography of the thoracolumbar spine was performed before and every year after RT. The height and vertical length of the irradiated vertebral bodies (VBs) compared with the unirradiated VBs (vertebral body ratio, VBR) were analyzed using the linear mixed model. Shape feature analysis was performed to compare the irradiated and unirradiated vertebrae. RESULTS: The follow-up was a median of 53.5 months (range, 21-81 months) after RT. A decline in height z-scores was mainly found in the early phase after treatment. In the linear mixed model with height, the initial height (fixed, p < 0.001), sex (time interaction, p = 0.008), endocrine dysfunction (time interaction, 0.019), and age at diagnosis (fixed and time interaction, both p = 0.002) were significant. Unlike the trend in height, the change in VBR (ΔVBR) decreased gradually (p < 0.001). The ΔVBR in the group that received more than 30 Gy decreased more than in the group that received smaller doses. In the shape feature analysis, the irradiated VBs changed to a more irregular surface that were neither round nor rectangular. CONCLUSION: The irradiated VBs in children were gradually restricted compared to the unirradiated VBs in long-term follow-up, and higher RT doses were significantly affected. Radiation-induced irregular features of VBs were observed.

Real-world outcome of patients with extensively pretreated multiple myeloma who were treated with selinexor and dexamethasone: a Korean multicenter retrospective analysis.

The outcomes of patients with myeloma after exposed to penta-classes are extremely poor. Selinexor is the first approved exportin inhibitor for those patients, but intractable toxicities may limit its use. This retrospective study evaluated the real-world efficacy and safety of selinexor plus dexamethasone (XD) and involved 48 patients with multiple myeloma, who were treated from November 2020 to October 2022. Their median age was 64 years, and the median number of prior lines of therapy was 6. The overall response rate was 25%, and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 2.1 months (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.7-2.5). Patients on a reduced initial dose, delayed treatment, and dose reduction had better PFS. After XD treatment failure, 17 patients received subsequent therapy and had a median PFS of 2.4 months. The median overall survival was 4.6 months (95% CI, 2.3-6.9). Among the patients, 12 (25%) and 17 (35%) experienced dose reduction and delayed treatment, respectively. Our data show that the real-world efficacy of XD treatment in heavily pretreated patients was modest and that improving treatment adherence through reducing initial doses or delaying treatments may improve patient outcomes.

Imaging of Facial Nerve With 3D-DESS-WE-MRI Before Parotidectomy: Impact on Surgical Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The intra-parotid facial nerve (FN) can be visualized using three-dimensional double-echo steady-state water-excitation sequence magnetic resonance imaging (3D-DESS-WE-MRI). However, the clinical impact of FN imaging using 3D-DESS-WE-MRI before parotidectomy has not yet been explored. We compared the clinical outcomes of parotidectomy in patients with and without preoperative 3D-DESS-WE-MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, non-randomized, single-institution study included 296 adult patients who underwent parotidectomy for parotid tumors, excluding superficial and mobile tumors. Preoperative evaluation with 3D-DESS-WE-MRI was performed in 122 patients, and not performed in 174 patients. FN visibility and tumor location relative to FN on 3D-DESS-WE-MRI were evaluated in 120 patients. Rates of FN palsy (FNP) and operation times were compared between patients with and without 3D-DESS-WE-MRI; propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were used to adjust for surgical and tumor factors. RESULTS: The main trunk, temporofacial branch, and cervicofacial branch of the intra-parotid FN were identified using 3D-DESS-WE-MRI in approximately 97.5% (117/120), 44.2% (53/120), and 25.0% (30/120) of cases, respectively. The tumor location relative to FN, as assessed on magnetic resonance imaging, concurred with surgical findings in 90.8% (109/120) of cases. Rates of temporary and permanent FNP did not vary between patients with and without 3D-DESS-WE-MRI according to PSM (odds ratio, 2.29 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.64-8.25] and 2.02 [95% CI: 0.32-12.90], respectively) and IPTW (odds ratio, 1.76 [95% CI: 0.19-16.75] and 1.94 [95% CI: 0.20-18.49], respectively). Conversely, operation time for surgical identification of FN was significantly shorter with 3D-DESS-WE-MRI (median, 25 vs. 35 min for PSM and 25 vs. 30 min for IPTW, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Preoperative FN imaging with 3D-DESS-WE-MRI facilitated anatomical identification of FN and its relationship to the tumor during parotidectomy. This modality reduced operation time for FN identification, but did not significantly affect postoperative FNP rates.

Upper gastrointestinal tract perforation assessed by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography after oral Sonazoid administration in a stomach leakage mouse model.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to elucidate whether contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) can visualize orally administered Sonazoid leaking into the peritoneal cavity in a postoperative stomach leakage mouse model. METHODS: Adult female mice (n=33, 9-10 weeks old) were used. Preoperative CEUS was performed after delivering Sonazoid via intraperitoneal injection and the per oral route. A gastric leakage model was then generated by making a surgical incision of about 0.5 cm at the stomach wall, and CEUS with per oral Sonazoid administration was performed. A region of interest was drawn on the CEUS images and the signal intensity was quantitatively measured. Statistical analysis was performed using a mixed model to compare the signal intensity sampled from the pre-contrast images with those of the post-contrast images obtained at different time points. RESULTS: CEUS after Sonazoid intraperitoneal injection in normal mice and after oral administration in mice with gastric perforation visualized the contrast medium spreading within the liver interlobar fissures continuous to the peritoneal cavity. A quantitative analysis showed that in the mice with gastric perforation, the orally delivered Sonazoid leaking into the peritoneal cavity induced a statistically significant (P<0.05) increase in signal intensity in all CEUS images obtained 10 seconds or longer after contrast delivery. However, enhancement was not observed before gastric perforation surgery (P=0.167). CONCLUSION: CEUS with oral Sonazoid administration efficiently visualized the contrast medium spreading within the peritoneal cavity in a postoperative stomach leakage mouse model.

Suicide Screening Questionnaire-Self-Rating (SSQ-SR): Development, reliability, and validity in a clinical sample of Korean adults.

The goal of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Suicide Screening Questionnaire-Self-Rating (SSQ-SR). A 25-item SSQ-SR is a newly developed suicide screening tool that measures suicide risk factors, including a history of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs), life stress, and mental health problems. To investigate the reliability and validity of the SSQ-SR, we conducted a longitudinal case-control study with adults with and without STBs in the past six months. A total of 176 participants were recruited through 12 hospital-based Crisis Response Centers across South Korea. At the baseline, we administered the SSQ-SR, the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSSI), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). In a 6-months follow-up, we investigated whether the participants engaged in suicidal ideation, plan, or attempt since the baseline assessment. As a result, the SSQ-SR demonstrated a strong internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient = 0.96). In addition, the total score of SSQ-SR had concurrent validity compared to the total scores of the BSSI and the PHQ-9. In comparing the suicidal groups with the control group, the ROC analysis indicated the optimal cut point at 31 with a sensitivity rate of 0.97 and a specificity rate of 0.98. Through explanatory factor analysis, two factors were identified: Mental Health and Environmental Factors and Active Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors. The SSQ-SR total and sub-factor scores were prospectively associated with subsequent suicidal ideation, plan, and attempt. These findings support that the SSQ-SR is a promising tool in prospectively screening those who are at risk of suicidal thoughts, plans, and nonfatal attempts.

First and second kidney transplantations from living donors offer comparable outcomes for patients.

Background: Increasingly many patients are being relisted for repeat kidney transplantation due to longer survival times after transplantation. This study compared the outcomes of second living donor kidney transplantations (LDKTs) with those of first LDKTs. Methods: Data were collected retrospectively for 1,429 LDKTs performed from 1995 to 2020 at Samsung Medical Center. The demographics of recipients and donors, immunologic factors, and outcomes of second LDKTs were compared to those of first LDKTs. Results: Among 1,429 cases of LDKT, 1,355 were first LDKT cases and 74 were second LDKT cases. Basic demographic data were comparable for the two groups of patients. The 5- and 10-year graft survival rates were 94% and 84% for first LDKTs and 96% and 86% for second LDKTs, respectively, with neither difference statistically significant (P=0.399). The 5- and 10-year patient survival rates were 98% and 94% for the first and 96% and 93% for the second LDKTs, respectively; neither difference was statistically significant (P=0.766). Multivariate analysis confirmed that a history of previous transplantation was not a statistically significant risk factor for graft loss (hazard ratio [HR], 0.83; P=0.677) or patient death (HR, 1.68; P=0.396). Conclusions: These results indicate that repeat kidney transplantation from living donors is a reasonable choice for patients who have experienced graft loss.

Defining the learning curve for endotracheal intubation in the emergency department.

To determine the minimum number of endotracheal intubation (ETI) attempts necessary for a novice emergency medicine (EM) trainee to become proficient with this procedure. This single-center study retrospectively analyzed data obtained from the institutional airway registry during the period from April 2014 to March 2021. All ETI attempts made by EM trainees starting their residency programs between 2014 and 2018 were evaluated. We used a first attempt success (FAS) rate of 85% as a proxy for ETI proficiency. Generalized linear mixed models were used to evaluate the association between FAS and cumulative ETI experience. The number of ETI attempts required to achieve an FAS rate of ≥ 85% was estimated using the regression coefficients obtained from the model. The study period yielded 2077 ETI cases from a total of 1979 patients. The FAS rate was 78.6% (n = 1632/2077). After adjusting for confounding factors, the cumulative number of ETI cases was associated with increased FAS (adjusted odds ratio, 1.010 per additional ETI case; 95% confidence interval 1.006-1.013; p < 0.001). A minimum of 119 ETI cases were required to establish a ≥ 85% likelihood of FAS. At least 119 ETI cases were required for EM trainees to achieve an FAS rate of ≥ 85% in the emergency department.

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters of vancomycin for predicting clinical outcome of enterococcal bacteremia.

PURPOSE: To find pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters of vancomycin associated with the optimal outcome of severe infection due to Enterococcus species. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed enterococcal bacteremia cases treated with vancomycin from January 2015 to December 2020. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. We calculated cutoff values of the ratio of vancomycin area under the concentration-time curve over 24 h to the minimum inhibitory concentration (AUC24/MIC) and trough concentration (Ctrough) during the initial 72 h of treatment. The optimal cutoff value was determined using the Youden index. Binary variables created based on these cutoffs were further assessed using multivariable analysis. RESULTS: A total of 65 patients were included. The majority (87.7%) had solid or hematologic malignancies. Thirty-day mortality and nephrotoxicity occurred in nine (13.4%) and 14 (21.5%) patients, respectively. Both vancomycin AUC24/MIC and Ctrough showed fair performance in predicting 30-day mortality (AUC of receiver-operator curve for AUC24/MIC, 0.712; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.539-0.886; AUC for Ctrough, 0.760; 95% CI 0.627-0.892; pairwise AUC comparison: p = 0.570). Ctrough ≥ 13.94 µg/mL, but not AUC24/MIC ≥ 504, had a significant association with 30-day mortality after adjusting for confounders (odds ratio, 8.40; 95% CI 1.60-86.62; p = 0.010). CONCLUSION: Mean Ctrough ≥ 13.94 µg/mL during the initial 72 h was associated with higher 30-day mortality in enterococcal bacteremia. Further studies are warranted to elucidate optimal pharmacokinetic targets for enterococcal bacteremia.

Development of prediction models for distinguishable cognitive trajectories in patients with amyloid positive mild cognitive impairment.

The clinical outcomes of patients with amyloid beta-positive (Aß+) mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are heterogeneous. We therefore developed prediction models for distinguishable cognitive trajectories in Aß+ participants with MCI. We included 238 Aß+ participants with MCI from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative to develop a group-based trajectory model and 63 Aß+ participants with MCI from the Samsung Medical Center for external validation. Three distinguishable classes, slow decliners (18.5%), intermediate decliners (42.9%), and fast decliners (38.7%), were identified. Intermediate decliners were associated with older age, higher AV45 standardized uptake value ratios (SUVR) and lower fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) SUVR than slow decliners. Fast decliners were associated with older age, presence of APOE ε4, higher AV45 SUVR and lower FDG SUVR than slow decliners. Prediction models of cognitive decline showed good discrimination and calibration capabilities in the development and validation data sets. Our analysis yields novel insights into the cognitive trajectories of Aß+ patients with MCI, which will facilitate their effective stratification in Aß-targeted clinical trials.

Preoperative Helical Dynamic Enhanced Multidetector Row Computed Tomography: Can It Be a Prognostic Indicator in Early-Stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer?

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography in patients with stage IA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 139 patients (77 men, 62 women; mean age, 59 years) with stage IA NSCLC who underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Data on age, pathologic subtype, peak enhancement, and net enhancement of primary lung cancer were collected and correlated with 5-year survival. RESULTS: Peak enhancement had a significant correlation with overall survival in the univariable analysis (hazard ratio [HR], 1.18, confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.38; P = 0.04) and in the multivariable analysis (HR, 1.19; CI, 1.01-1.39; P = 0.04). Patients with peak enhancement of 90 Hounsfield unit or higher had a significantly increased risk of death compared with patients with less enhancement after curative surgery (HR, 4.15; CI, 1.23-13.95; P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed the prognostic significance of peak enhancement as an indicator for the overall survival of stage IA NSCLC.

18F-THK5351 PET Positivity and Longitudinal Changes in Cognitive Function in ß-Amyloid-Negative Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment.

PURPOSE: Neuroinflammation is considered an important pathway associated with several diseases that result in cognitive decline. 18F-THK5351 positron emission tomography (PET) signals might indicate the presence of neuroinflammation, as well as Alzheimer's disease-type tau aggregates. ß-amyloid (Aß)-negative (Aß-) amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) may be associated with non-Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology. Accordingly, we investigated associations between 18F-THK5351 PET positivity and cognitive decline among Aß- aMCI patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study included 25 amyloid PET negative aMCI patients who underwent a minimum of two follow-up neuropsychological evaluations, including clinical dementia rating-sum of boxes (CDR-SOB). The patients were classified into two groups: 18F-THK5351-positive and -negative groups. The present study used a linear mixed effects model to estimate the effects of 18F-THK5351 PET positivity on cognitive prognosis among Aß- aMCI patients. RESULTS: Among the 25 Aß- aMCI patients, 10 (40.0%) were 18F-THK5351 positive. The patients in the 18F-THK5351-positive group were older than those in the 18F-THK5351-negative group (77.4±2.2 years vs. 70.0±5.5 years; p<0.001). There was no difference between the two groups with regard to the proportion of apolipoprotein E ε4 carriers. Interestingly, however, the CDR-SOB scores of the 18F-THK5351-positive group deteriorated at a faster rate than those of the 18F-THK5351-negative group (B=0.003, p=0.033). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that increased 18F-THK5351 uptake might be a useful predictor of poor prognosis among Aß- aMCI patients, which might be associated with increased neuroinflammation (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02656498).

Independent effects of amyloid and vascular markers on long-term functional outcomes: An 8-year longitudinal study of subcortical vascular cognitive impairment.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Subcortical vascular cognitive impairment (SVCI) is characterized by the presence of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) markers. Some SVCI patients also show Alzheimer's disease and cerebral amyloid angiopathy markers. However, the effects of these imaging markers on long-term clinical outcomes have not yet been established. The present study, therefore, aimed to determine how these imaging markers influence functional disability and/or mortality. METHODS: We recruited 194 participants with SVCI from the memory clinic and followed them up. All participants underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging at baseline, and 177 (91.2%) participants underwent beta-amyloid (Aß) positron emission tomography. We examined the occurrence of ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes. We also evaluated functional disability and mortality using the modified Rankin scale. To determine the effects of imaging markers on functional disability or mortality, we used Fine and Gray competing regression or Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: During a 8.6-year follow-up period, 46 of 194 patients (23.7%) experienced a stroke, 110 patients (56.7%) developed functional disabilities and 75 (38.6%) died. Aß positivity (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR] = 2.73), greater white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume (SHR = 3.11) and ≥3 microbleeds (SHR = 2.29) at baseline were independent predictors of functional disability regardless of the occurrence of stroke. Greater WMH volume (hazard ratio = 2.07) was an independent predictor of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that diverse imaging markers may predict long-term functional disability and mortality in patients with SVCI, which in turn may provide clinicians with a more insightful understanding of the long-term outcomes of SVCI.

Absolute Neutrophil Count after the First Chemotherapy Cycle as a Surrogate Marker for Treatment Outcomes in Patients with Neuroblastoma.

PURPOSE: We performed this study to determine whether the degree of neutropenia after the first chemotherapy cycle can be used as a surrogate marker of individual susceptibility to chemotherapeutic agents affecting treatment outcome in patients with neuroblastoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 313 patients who received the first cycle chemotherapy with a CEDC (cisplatin+etoposide+doxorubicin+cyclophosphamide) regimen and had absolute neutrophil count (ANC) data available. The cumulative incidences of progression and treatment-related mortality (TRM) were estimated. To identify genetic variations associated with the ANC, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed. RESULTS: An ANC of 32.5/µL was determined as the cutoff point to categorize patients into the good and poor prognosis subgroups in terms of progression. Patients with a high nadir ANC had a higher cumulative incidence of progression than those with a low nadir ANC (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, high nadir ANC, age, bone marrow involvement, and unfavorable histology were poor prognostic factors. With regard to the TRM, patients with a low nadir ANC (ANC < 51.0/µL) had a higher cumulative incidence of TRM than those with a high nadir ANC (p=0.010). In GWAS, single-nucleotide polymorphisms of LPHN2 and CRHR1 were significantly associated with the nadir ANC. CONCLUSION: In neuroblastoma patients, the degree of neutropenia after the first chemotherapy cycle can be used as a surrogate marker to predict an individual's susceptibility to chemotherapeutic agents. Tailoring of treatment based on the degree of neutropenia needs to be considered.

Trimodality therapy for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: the role of volume-based PET/CT in patient management and prognostication.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in predicting pathologic complete response (pCR) and identify relevant prognostic factors from clinico-imaging-pathologic features of locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (eSCC) patients undergoing trimodality therapy. METHODS: We evaluated 275 patients with eSCCs of T3-T4aN0M0 and T1-T4aN1-N3M0 who received trimodality therapy. We correlated volume-based PET/CT parameters before and after concurrent chemoradiation therapy with pCR after surgery, clinico-imaging-pathologic features, and patient survival. RESULTS: pCR occurred in 75 (27.3%) of 275 patients, of whom 61 (80.9%) showed 5-year survival. Pre-total lesion glycolysis (pre-TLG, OR = 0.318, 95% CI 0.169 to 0.600), post-metabolic tumor volume (post-MTV, OR = 0.572, 95% CI 0.327 to 0.999), and % decrease of average standardized uptake value (% SUVavg decrease, OR = 2.976, 95% CI = 1.608 to 5.507) were significant predictors for pCR. Among them, best predictor for pCR was pre-TLG with best cutoff value of 205.67 and with AUC value of 0.591. Performance status (HR = 5.171, 95% CI 1.737 to 15.397), pathologic tumor size (HR = 1.645, 95% CI 1.351 to 2.002), pathologic N status (N1, HR = 1.572, 95% CI 1.010 to 2.446; N2, HR = 3.088, 95% CI 1.845 to 5.166), and post-metabolic tumor volume (HR = 1.506, 95% CI 1.033 to 2.195) were significant predictors of overall survival. CONCLUSION: Pre-TLG, post-MTV, and % SUVavg decrease are predictive of pCR. Additionally, several clinico-imaging-pathologic factors are significant survival predictors in locally advanced eSCC patients undergoing trimodality therapy.

Prognostic Value of Preoperative Serum Calcitonin Levels for Predicting the Recurrence of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma.

Background: Serum calcitonin level is a useful biomarker for predicting primary tumor size, the extent of lymph node, and distant metastasis in patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). However, the association between preoperative serum calcitonin levels and long-term oncologic outcomes has not yet been established. The aims of this study were to determine the preoperative serum calcitonin cut-off value for predicting disease recurrence and to evaluate its prognostic value. Methods: Patients with MTC (n = 169) who were treated at a tertiary referral hospital in Korea between 1995 and 2019 were enrolled. To determine the preoperative serum calcitonin cut-off value for predicting structural recurrence, the maximum of the standardized log-rank statistics of all possible cut-off values was used. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to determine prognostic factors for disease-free survival. Results: The overall disease-free survival rate was 75.7%. The preoperative serum calcitonin cut-off value that predicted structural recurrence was 309 pg/mL. Preoperative serum calcitonin levels of > 309 pg/mL were the strongest independent predictor of disease recurrence (hazard ratio (HR) 5.33, 95% confidence interval (85% CI) 1.67-16.96; P = 0.005). Lateral lymph node metastasis (HR 3.70, 95% CI 1.61-8.51; P = 0.002) and positive resection margins (HR 3.57, 95% CI 1.44-8.88; P = 0.006) were also significant predictors of disease recurrence. Conclusions: The preoperative serum calcitonin cut-off value is useful in clinical practice. It is also the best predictive factor for disease-free survival. Preoperative serum calcitonin levels may help determine the optimal postoperative follow-up strategy for patients with MTC.

Combined transarterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation for subphrenic versus nonsubphrenic hepatocellular carcinoma: a propensity score matched study.

PURPOSE: To compare therapeutic outcomes of combined transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in subphrenic versus nonsubphrenic locations by propensity score matching. METHODS: This retrospective study included 293 patients with single HCC (≤ 3 cm) ineligible for ultrasound-guided RFA who received iodized oil TACE and subsequent RFA between June 2010 and January 2017. The patients were divided into two groups according to the tumor location: subphrenic (n = 99) and nonsubphrenic (n = 194). Subphrenic HCC was defined as a tumor abutting the diaphragm. Local tumor progression (LTP) and overall survival (OS) rates were compared by propensity score matching. Procedure-related complications were also assessed. RESULTS: Matching yielded 93 matched pairs of patients. In the matched cohorts, cumulative 1-, 3-, and 5-year LTP rates were 5.4%, 12.1%, and 12.1% in the subphrenic group and 1.1%, 7.5%, and 8.6% in the nonsubphrenic group, respectively, with no significant differences (p = 0.278). Corresponding OS rates were 100%, 80.2%, and 71.3% in the subphrenic group and 97.9%, 88.1%, and 75.6% in the nonsubphrenic group, respectively, with no significant differences (p = 0.308). The subphrenic location was not a significant risk factor for LTP and OS in multivariate analysis. There were no significant differences in complication rates between the two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic outcomes of combined TACE and RFA for small subphrenic HCC were similar to those for nonsubphrenic HCC. The combination therapy seems to be an effective and safe method in treating small subphrenic HCC.

Surgeon Volume and Long-Term Oncologic Outcomes in Patients with Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is the most important curative treatment for medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). The relationship between surgeon volume (the number of surgeries performed) and short-term surgical outcomes, such as increased postoperative complication or costs, is well established. This study evaluated whether surgeon volume influenced long-term oncologic outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 246 patients diagnosed with MTC after initial thyroid surgery from 1995 to 2019. After exclusion, 194 patients were eligible for inclusion in the study. Surgeons were categorized as low/intermediate volume (fewer than 100 operations per year) or high volume (at least 100 operations per year). RESULTS: Of the 194 included patients, 60 (30.9%) developed disease recurrence, and 9 (4.6%) died of MTC during the median follow-up of 92.5 months. Having a low/intermediate-volume surgeon was associated with high disease recurrence (log-rank test, p < 0.001). After adjustment for age, sex, tumor type (sporadic versus hereditary), primary tumor size, presence of central lymph node metastasis (LNM), presence of lateral LNM, extrathyroidal extension, and positive resection margin, surgeon volume was a significant factor for disease recurrence (hazard ratio 2.28, p = 0.004); however, cancer-specific survival was not affected by surgeon volume (hazard ratio 4.16, p = 0.115). CONCLUSIONS: Surgeon volume is associated with long-term oncologic outcome. MTC patients will be able to make the best decisions for their treatment based on the results of this study.

Differential effects of risk factors on the cognitive trajectory of early- and late-onset Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: Although few studies have shown that risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD) are associated with cognitive decline in AD, not much is known whether the impact of risk factors differs between early-onset AD (EOAD, symptom onset < 65 years of age) versus late-onset AD (LOAD). Therefore, we evaluated whether the impact of Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk factors on cognitive trajectories differ in EOAD and LOAD. METHODS: We followed-up 193 EOAD and 476 LOAD patients without known autosomal dominant AD mutation for 32.3 ± 23.2 months. Mixed-effects model analyses were performed to evaluate the effects of APOE ε4, low education, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity on cognitive trajectories. RESULTS: APOE ε4 carriers showed slower cognitive decline in general cognitive function, language, and memory domains than APOE ε4 carriers in EOAD but not in LOAD. Although patients with low education showed slower cognitive decline than patients with high education in both EOAD and LOAD, the effect was stronger in EOAD, specifically in frontal-executive function. Patients with hypertension showed faster cognitive decline than did patients without hypertension in frontal-executive and general cognitive function in LOAD but not in EOAD. Patients with obesity showed slower decline in general cognitive function than non-obese patients in EOAD but not in LOAD. CONCLUSIONS: Known risk factors for AD were associated with slower cognitive decline in EOAD but rapid cognitive decline in LOAD.