Classification of sternocleidomastoid muscle variations and comparison of its incidence among populations / Clasificación de variaciones del músculo esternocleidomastoideo y comparación de su incidencia entre poblaciones

SUMMARY: This study aimed to classify and investigate anatomical variations of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle, which is commonly used as an anatomical landmark to indicate the correct position for central venous catheterization, in a Thai population. Thirty- five embalmed cadavers from the Northeast Thailand (19 females and 16 males) were systemically dissected to reveal the SCM muscles in both sides for gross human anatomy teaching. Variations in the SCM origin and insertion were observed and recorded. The prevalence of anatomical variations was approximately 11.4 % (4 of 35 cadavers) and was not different by sex. Such variations were classified into 5 types based on origin, insertion, and presence of additional heads, as follows: type I (n=31; 88.6 %), type II (n=1; 2.85 %), type III (n=1; 2.85 %), type IV (n=1; 2.85 %), and type V (n=1; 2.85 %). Clinical considerations and prevalence of variant SCM muscle have also been discussed. Since the incidence of this anatomical variations was more than 10 %, the cervical surgeons should seriously consider this issue before insertion of a central venous catheter to avoid complications.

El estudio tuvo como objetivo clasificar e investigar las variaciones anatómicas del músculo esternocleidomastoideo (MEM), que se usa comúnmente como un punto de referencia anatómico para indicar la posición correcta para el cateterismo venoso central, en una población tailandesa. Se diseccionaron sistemáticamente 35 cadáveres embalsamados del noreste de Tailandia (19 mujeres y 16 hombres) para observar los músculos MEM en ambos lados para la enseñanza de la anatomía humana macroscópica. Se observaron y registraron variaciones en el origen y la inserción de MEM. La prevalencia de la variación fue de aproximadamente 11,4 % (4 de 35 cadáveres) y no fue diferente por sexo. Dichas variaciones se clasificaron en 5 tipos según el origen, la inserción y la presencia de cabezas adicionales, de la siguiente manera: tipo I (n=31; 88,6 %), tipo II (n=1; 2,85 %), tipo III (n=1; 2,85 %), tipo IV (n=1; 2,85 %) y tipo V (n=1; 2,85 %). También se discutieron las consideraciones clínicas y la prevalencia de la variante del músculo MEM. Dado que la incidencia de esta variación fue superior al 10 %, los cirujanos de cabeza y cuello deben considerar este tema antes de la inserción de un catéter venoso central para evitar complicaciones.

Human health risk assessment of PM2.5-bound heavy metal of anthropogenic sources in the Khon Kaen Province of Northeast Thailand.

The study aimed to assess the human health risk of PM2.5-bound heavy metals from anthropogenic sources in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand between December 2020 and February 2021. According to the findings, the geometric mean concentration of PM2.5 in the university area, residential area, industrial zone, and the agricultural zone was 32.78 µg/m3, 50.25 µg/m3, 44.48 µg/m3, and 29.53 µg/m3, respectively. The results showed that the estimated human health risk assessment, in terms of non-carcinogenic risks among children and adults in an urban area (residential and university), industrial zone, and the agricultural area, was of hazard index (HI) value of >1.0 indicating a greater chance of chronic effects occurring. This study showed that exposure to PM2.5-bound heavy metal may increase the likelihood that lasting effects will result in a very high carcinogenic risk (CR) in children in residential areas, and an industrial zone with total carcinogenic risk (TCR) values of 0.23 × 10 1 , and 0.12 × 10 1 , respectively while resulting in a high TCR of 3.34 × 10 - 2 and 4.11 × 10 - 2 within the university areas and agricultural zone, respectively. In addition, health risk assessments among adults demonstrate high TCR values of 4.40 × 10 - 1 (residential area), 2.28 × 10 - 1 (industrial zone), and 7.70 × 10 - 3 (agricultural zone), thus indicating a potential health risk to adults living in these areas while the university area was very low effects on carcinogenic risk ( CR ≤ 10 - 8 ) for adults. Therefore, lowering the risk of exposure to PM2.5 via the respiratory tract, for example, wearing a mask outside is a very effective self-defense strategy for people within and around the study site. This data study strongly supports the implementation of the air pollutant emission source reduction measures control and health surveillance.

Lung Cancer Survival with Current Therapies and New Targeted Treatments: A Comprehensive Update from the Srinagarind Hospital-Based Cancer Registry from (2013 to 2017).

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer (LC) is a common malignancy and leading cause of cancer death worldwide and in Thailand. An update on LC survival factors after diagnosis at Srinagarind Hospital is needed. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study, and the data were sourced from the Srinagarind Hospital-Based Cancer Registry. All LC cases were diagnosed between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2017, and followed up until November 30, 2019. Cases of LC (ICD-O-3) numbered 2,149, but only those with coding C34.0-C34.9 were included. The survival rate was estimated using Kaplan-Meier, while the Log-rank test was used to estimate survival. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression models. RESULTS: The 2,149 patients had a total follow-up of 269.6 person-years. Overall, 1,867 patients died during the study, for a corresponding case-fatality mortality rate of 86.0 per 100 person-years. The respective 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rate was 31.2 % (95% CI; 29.21 to 33.15%), 12.9 % (95%CI: 11.49 to 14.45), and 10.2% (95%CI: 8.74 to 11.70). After patient diagnosis, the median survival time was 0.46 years (5.51 months) (95% CI: 0.42 to 0.50). Targeted therapy was associated with longer survival than non-targeted therapy (p-value < 0.001). After adjusting for sex, TNM stage, and histologic type, multivariable analysis of the entire cohort identified chemotherapy as an independent predictor of improved survival (adjusted HR= 0.48; 95% CI: 0.42 to 0.55; P < 0.001), and that sex, TNM stage, and histologic type were associated with survival. CONCLUSION: The study confirmed that sex, stage of disease, histology, and chemotherapy are associated with survival of LC. Primary prevention and screening for early detection improve survival. Further investigations into factors affecting survival of LC in Northeast Thailand should focus on targeted therapy.
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Lack of Association between Red Meat Consumption and a Positive Fecal Immunochemical Colorectal Cancer Screening Test in Khon Kaen, Thailand: a Population- Based Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: There is convincing evidence from epidemiological studies that meat consumption increases colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. However, assessment of any association with a positive fecal immunochemical test (FIT) in CRC screening has been limited. If a link could be shown this might be helpful for establishing a risk group for colonoscopy. Objective: This study aimed to assess any association between meat consumption and other lifestyle factors and a positive FIT result in a Thai population. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted with 1,167 participants in a population-based randomized controlled trial. CRC was screened from May 2016 - February 2017. Subjects aged 45-74 years who met the eligibility criteria were randomly allocated to the study arm. A positive FIT was determined with cut-off 100 ng/mL. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze any relationship between lifestyle factors and a positive FIT. Result: The total number of subjects was 1,060 (90.8% return rate of FIT). With FIT100, FIT150, and FIT200, positive tests were found in 92 (8.68%), 74 (6.98%), and 60 (5.66%), respectively. No significant associations were noted with any of the variables, except for being aged 60-74 years (ORadj = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.03-2.54) Borderline significance was observed for high consumption of vegetables (ORadj = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.36-1.07) and being male (ORadj = 1.39, 95% CI: 0.87-2.22). Conclusion: Despite the evidence from the literature, no association was here found between a positive FIT result and meat consumption or other well-established lifestyle parameters. Being aged 60-74 years was a risk factor which should be taken into account in CRC screening strategy in countries like Thailand with limited access to endoscopy.

Preliminary Results: Colorectal Cancer Screening Using Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) in a Thai Population Aged 45-74 Years: A Population-Based Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: The aim of this paper is to provide some details and the results to date of a colorectal cancer screening trial using a fecal immunochemical test (FIT). Methods: A population-based randomized controlled trial began in May, 2016. All people aged 45 to 74 years living in Nam Phong District, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand, and willing to participate are being recruited using an outreach method. Enrolled participants are randomly allocated by a computer-generated randomization program either to a study arm (receive sample kit for FIT) or to a control arm (no provision of kit). Positive FIT cases are subsequently confirmed by a colonoscopy examination, and negative FIT cases are re-tested with FIT every two years. The preliminary results to date were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 1,060 enrolled participants provided a complete set of data. Of those randomly assigned to the study arm and tested by FIT, 92 (8.7%) were found to be positive, 39 (11.5%) males and 53 (7.4%) females. The f-Hb concentrations at the 75th, 90th and 95th percentiles for all age groups were higher in males than in females, and the distributions of f-Hb concentration varied with age, especially at the 95th percentile where f-Hb concentrations increased with age. Conclusion: The preliminary results of our screening trial have indicated that the prevalence of positive FIT cases is higher than in a similar recent and, at the time unique, previous study in Thailand. This finding is especially the case for males and those in the older age groups.

Proximity of health care center and cervical cancer screening uptake in Thailand.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide, and in Thailand is the second most common cancer among women. In 2008, a national cervical cancer screening programme was implemented in Thailand, but coverage remains relatively low. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to investigate whether cervical cancer screening uptake is associated with the area of residency in Thailand. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-control study was carried out in women aged 30 to 60 year-old, who live in Sikhiu district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand. Structured-questionnaires were used to interview 226 women (cases) who had attended cervical cancer screening in the last five years and 226 women (controls) who had not. Multiple logistic regression was used to investigate the association between the area of residency and cervical cancer screening uptake. RESULTS: After controlling for parity, marital status and duration of hormonal contraceptive use, an association between the area of residence and cervical cancer screening uptake could not demonstrated (ORadj 1.27, 95%CI: 0.79, 2.04). CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence to suggest remoteness to health care center led to lower cervical cancer screening uptake.

Factors affecting cervical cancer screening uptake by Hmong hilltribe women in Thailand.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is relatively common in Thai women, but the proportion of females receiving Pap smear screening is still low. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to study factors related to cervical cancer screening uptake by Hmong hilltribe women in Lomkao District, Phetchabun Province. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Interview data were collected from 547 of these women aged 30-60 years living in the study area and analyzed using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: The results showed that 64.9% of the study sample had received screening, and that 47.2% had attended due to a cervical screening campaign. The most common reason given for not receiving screening was lack of time (21.4%). The factors found to be positively associated with uptake (p value <0.05) were as follows: number of years of school attendance (OR=1.56, 95%CI:1.02-2.38), animistic religious beliefs (OR=0.55, 95%CI:0.33-0.91), a previous pregnancy (OR=6.20, 95%CI:1.36-28.35), receipt of information about cervical cancer screening (OR=2.25, 95%CI:1.35-3.76), and perceived risk of developing cervical cancer (OR=1.83, 95%CI:1.25-2.67). CONCLUSIONS: To promote the uptake of cervical screening, Hmong hilltribe women need to know more about cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening, and access to screening services should be provided in conjunction with existing everyday services, such as family planning and routine blood pressure monitoring or diabetes services.

Survival time and molecular subtypes of breast cancer after radiotherapy in Thailand.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is an important cause of death among women. One way of classifying different forms of breast cancer is by molecular features, usually in terms of the four subtypes: luminal A, luminal B, HER2-enriched, and triple negative. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the association between molecular subtypes and survival among breast cancer patients treated with radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. The subjects were 272 breast cancer patients who had received treatment in the radiotherapy unit at Srinagarind Hospital, Thailand, between 1 January, 1999, and 31 May, 2009. The end of the study was 1 June, 2014. Overall survival was defined as the time elapsing between initial registration at the radiotherapy unit and death or the end of the study. Survival curves were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and a multivariate analysis was performed using Cox's proportional hazard regression model. RESULTS: The patient mean age was 47.5±10.4 at the time of diagnosis. Of the 272 patients, 146 (53.7%) were classified as luminal A, 12 (4.4%) as luminal B, 30 (11.0%) as HER2-enriched, and 84 (30.9%) as triple negative. The overall survival rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 87.1%, 68.4% and 59.2%, respectively. According to molecular subtypes, HER2-enriched patients had the lowest 5-year survival rate (30.0 %, 95%CI: 15.02-46.55). The median follow-up time was 8.37 years. In the Cox model analysis a higher risk of death was found for patients with HER2-enriched (HRadj=3.34, 95%CI:1.96-5.67), triple negative (HRadj=2.17, 95%CI: 1.44-3.27), and stage IIlB (HRadj=2.20, 95%CI: 1.16-4.17) cancers. CONCLUSIONS: The worst survival rates were among patients classified as HER2-enriched, triple negative and at stage IIIB. Early detection and an advanced treatment modality are needed to help these patients.