A fortune cookie problem: A test for nominal data whether two samples are from the same population of equally likely elements.

This article considers a way to test the hypothesis that two collections of objects are from the same uniform distribution of such objects. The exact p-value is calculated based on the distribution for the observed overlaps. In addition, an interval estimate of the number of distinct objects, when all objects are equally likely, is indicated.

Survival and Toxicity in Patients With Unresectable or Inoperable Biliary Tract Cancers With Ablative Radiation Therapy Versus Nonablative Chemoradiation.

Purpose: Conventional chemoradiation (CCRT) is inadequately effective for the treatment of unresectable or inoperable biliary tract cancers (UIBC). Ablative radiation therapy (AR), typically defined as a biologically effective dose (BED) ≥80.5 Gy, has shown some promise in terms of local control and survival in these patients. We compare the efficacy and toxicity of AR to non-AR in UIBC patients. Methods and Materials: Patients with UIBC treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT; n = 18) or CCRT (n = 28) between 2006 and 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The associations of treatment, BED groups, selected characteristics with overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and local control were estimated separately using Cox proportional hazards regression. Toxicity was scored using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0. Results: Median dose fractionation was 60 Gy in 5 fractions (median BED, 127 Gy) for SBRT and 50 Gy in 25 fractions (median BED, 64 Gy) for CCRT. The median follow-up of the entire cohort was 11.5 months. The 1-year OS rate was 62% for BED <80.5 versus 66% for BED ≥80.5 (P = .069). The 1-year PFS rate was 24% for BED <80.5 and 29% for BED ≥80.5 (P = .050). The 1-year local control rate was 20% for BED <80.5 and 41% for BED ≥80.5 (P = .097). BED as a continuous variable (P = .013), BED ≥100 Gy (P = .044), and race (white versus nonwhite) (P = .037) were associated with improved overall mortality. BED ≥80.5 Gy (P = .046), smaller tumor size (<5 cm; P = .038) and N0 disease (P <.0001) were associated with improved disease progression rates. Local control was improved in patients with N0 disease compared with N1 disease (P <.0001). Both treatments were well tolerated; there was no difference in acute and late toxicity between AR and non-AR. Conclusions: In this review, there was improved PFS with BED ≥80.5 Gy with a trend toward OS benefit. BED ≥80.5 Gy was achieved mostly through SBRT and was well tolerated. AR could be considered a more effective treatment modality than CCRT in patients with UIBC.

Contemporary Prophylactic Antibiotic Practices and Adjunct Therapies in Autologous Fat Grafting Procedures: A Survey of The Aesthetic Society Members.

Background: Autologous fat grafting (AFG) is a widely used surgical technique that involves extracting a patient's own adipose tissue and transferring it to different areas of the body. This practice is still evolving. Guidelines for antibiotic prophylaxis and use of adjuncts in plastic surgery are currently limited, with a notable absence of standardized guidelines for AFG. Objectives: In this survey, we assess contemporary antibiotic practices and adjuncts in AFG procedures. Methods: A 52-question survey was emailed to 3106 active members of The Aesthetic Society. Two hundred and ninety-three responses were recorded, representing a 9% response rate. Results: We analyzed 288 responses. The most common AFG procedures were facial (38%), gluteal (34%), and breast (27%) augmentation. Preoperative antibiotics were used by 84.0% overall, with rates of 74.3%, 88.0%, and 92.7% in face, breast, and gluteal AFG, respectively. Lipoaspirate-antibiotic mixing was reported by 19.8%, mainly during gluteal AFG (46.9%), and less so in face (2.8%) and breast (8%) AFG. Notably, 46.9% of surgeons administered prolonged prophylaxis for 72 h or more. Tranexamic acid was utilized by 39.9% of the surveyed surgeons. Platelet-rich plasma was used by 5.6%. Doppler ultrasound was incorporated by 16.7% in AFG, with 21.5% in gluteal AFG, 14% in the face, and 19% in breast procedures. Conclusions: In this survey, we offer insights into antibiotic practices and adjunct therapies in AFG, especially intraoperative antibiotic mixing. Practices among members of The Aesthetic Society vary from guidelines. It is crucial to standardize practices and conduct further research to pave the way for evidence-based guidelines in AFG.

Comparison of perioperative and subacute postoperative complications between LDR and HDR monotherapy brachytherapy for prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: We aim to investigate perioperative and subacute postoperative complications in patients undergoing LDR or HDR monotherapy for prostate cancer. We hypothesize a low rate of complications, and a favorable toxicity profile in patients treated with HDR compared to LDR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospectively collected institutional database was queried for patients treated with HDR or LDR prostate monotherapy between 1998 and 2021. Toxicities were determined per CTCAE. Claims based billing codes were obtained to identify additional events. Events occurring within 4 months of treatment were defined as perioperative or subacute postoperative complications. RESULTS: 759 patients were identified, 446 received LDR with 125I, and 313 received HDR with 192Ir. HDR patients had higher risk features: 75.7% with Gleason score 7+ versus 2.4% of LDR, and 16% with initial PSA 10+ ng/mL versus 2.7% of LDR. Toxicities were mild with the most common being grade 1 GU frequency and nocturia at ∼50%. HDR patients had significantly less grade 2 dysuria (2.6% vs. 9.0%), frequency (4.8% vs. 9.4%), hematuria (1.0% vs. 5.2%), nocturia (3.8% vs. 9.4%), and urinary obstructive symptoms (7.3% vs. 11.2%), all statistically significant. 11 (1.4%) patients had infection requiring antibiotics: 8 (1.8%) from the LDR group and 3 (1%) from the HDR group. Cardiopulmonary events were low at <2% overall, without difference between HDR and LDR. CONCLUSIONS: Overall toxicity rates support the safety of prostate brachytherapy. HDR monotherapy is associated with significantly less perioperative and subacute postoperative GU events when compared to LDR monotherapy. Cardiopulmonary events were equally rare in both groups.