Patient-Reported Outcomes in Chinese Patients with Locally Advanced or Recurrent Colorectal Cancer After Pelvic Exenteration.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic exenteration (PE) is often the only curative treatment option for selected locally advanced and locally recurrent colorectal cancer associated with significant morbidity. Open and laparoscopic approaches were accepted for this procedure. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the Chinese patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after PE. METHODS: A total of 122 enrolled participants were asked to complete PROs at baseline and 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after PE. PROs included seven symptoms from the National Cancer Institute's Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE). The HRQoL was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal (FACT-C). RESULTS: The overall postoperative complication rate was 41.0%. Patients experienced lower physical and functional well-being and FACT-C 1 month after surgery, then gradually recovered. The FACT-C score returned to baseline 9 months after surgery. Social and emotional well-being did not show signs of recovery until 6 months after the surgical procedure, and did not fully return to baseline until 12 months post-surgery. Symptom rates of insomnia, anxiety, discouragement, and sadness (composite score >0) did not improve significantly from baseline until 12 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: PE is a feasible treatment choice for locally advanced primary and recurrent colorectal cancer. Social, psychological, and emotional recovery in the Chinese population after PE tends to be slower compared with the physical condition.

Development of a PROMIS multidimensional cancer-related fatigue (mCRF) form using modern psychometric techniques.

PURPOSE: To develop a PRO assessment of multidimensional cancer-related fatigue based on the PROMIS fatigue assessments. METHOD: Cancer patients reporting fatigue were recruited from a comprehensive cancer care center and completed a survey including 39 items from the PROMIS Cancer Item Bank-Fatigue. Component and factor structures of the fatigue items were explored with Monte Carlo parallel factor and Mokken analyses, respectively. Psychometric properties were determined using item response theory, ensuring unidimensionality, scalability, and item independence. RESULTS: Fatigue scores from a sample of 333 fatigued cancer patients (mean age = 59.50, SD = 11.62, 67% women) were used in all scale development analyses. Psychometric analyses yielded 3 dimensions: motivational fatigue (15 items), cognitive fatigue (9 items), and physical fatigue (9 items). The subscales showed strong unidimensionality, were scalable, and were free of differential item function. Confirmatory factor analyses in a new sample of 182 patients confirmed the findings. CONCLUSION: The resulting 33-item PROMIS multidimensional cancer-related fatigue (mCRF) form provides a novel measure for the assessment of the different dimensions of cancer-related fatigue. It is the only multidimensional scale specific for cancer patients that has been developed using modern psychometric approaches. With its 3 dimensions (motivational, cognitive, and physical fatigue), this scale accurately captures the fatigue experienced by cancer patients, allowing clinicians to optimize fatigue management and improve patient care. The scale could also advance research on the nature and experience of cancer-related fatigue.

Longitudinal impact of multi-segment spinal fixation surgery on mobility status and clinical outcomes in adult spinal deformity: a multicenter retrospective study.

PURPOSE: To investigate changes in postoperative mobility status in patients with ASD, and the determining factors that influence these changes and their impact on clinical outcomes, including the rate of home discharge and long-term mobility. METHODS: A total of 299 patients with ASD who underwent multi-segment posterior spinal fusion were registered in a multi-center database were investigated. Patient mobility status was assessed using walking aids and classified into five levels (1: independent, 2: cane, 3: walker, 4: assisted, and 5: wheelchair) preoperatively, at discharge, and after 2 years. We determined improvements or declines in the patient's mobility based on changes in the classification levels. The analysis focused on the factors contributing to the deterioration of postoperative mobility. RESULTS: Two years postoperatively, 87% of patients maintained or improved mobility. However, 27% showed decreased mobility status at discharge, associated with a lower rate of home discharge (49% vs. 80% in the maintained mobility group) and limited improvement in mobility status (35% vs. 5%) after 2 years. Notably, postoperative increases in thoracic kyphosis (7.0 ± 12.1 vs. 2.0 ± 12.4°, p = 0.002) and lower lumbar lordosis (4.2 ± 13.1 vs. 1.8 ± 12.6°, p = 0.050) were substantial factors in mobility decline. CONCLUSION: Postoperative mobility often temporarily decreases but generally improves after 2 years. However, an overcorrection in sagittal alignment, evidenced by increased TK, could detrimentally affect patients' mobility status. Transient mobility decline associated with overcorrection may require further rehabilitation or hospitalization. Further studies are required to determine the biomechanical effects of surgical correction on mobility.

Breast-conserving surgery versus modified radical mastectomy in T1-2N3M0 stage breast cancer: a propensity score matching analysis.

PURPOSE: Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) plus radiotherapy and mastectomy exhibit highly comparable prognoses for early-stage breast cancer; however, the safety of BCS for T1-2N3M0 breast cancer remains unclear. This study compared long-term survival for BCS versus (vs.) modified radical mastectomy (MRM) among patients with T1-2N3M0 breast cancer. METHODS: Data of patients with T1-2N3M0 breast cancer were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Eligible patients were divided into 2 groups, BCS and MRM; Pearson's chi-squared test was used to estimate differences in clinicopathological features. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance baseline characteristics. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to investigate the effects of surgical methods and other factors on breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: In total, 2124 patients were included; after PSM, 596 patients were allocated to each group. BCS exhibited the same 5-year BCSS (77.9% vs. 77.7%; P = 0.814) and OS (76.1% vs. 74.6%; P = 0.862) as MRM in the matched cohorts. Multivariate survival analysis revealed that BCS had the same BCSS and OS as MRM (hazard ratios [HR] 0.899 [95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.697-1.160], P = 0.413 and HR 0.858 [95% CI 0.675-1.089], P = 0.208, respectively); this was also seen in most subgroups. BCS demonstrated better BCSS (HR 0.558 [95% CI 0.335-0.929]; P = 0.025) and OS (HR 0.605 [95% CI 0.377-0.972]; P = 0.038) than MRM in those with the triple-negative subtype. CONCLUSIONS: BCS has the same long-term survival as MRM in T1-2N3M0 breast cancer and may be a better choice for triple-negative breast cancer.

Combined Exercise and Mindset Training During a Pediatric Cardiac Fitness and Rehabilitation Program Benefits Youth with a Range of Congenital Heart Disease.

Pediatric cardiac fitness and rehabilitation programs vary widely in structure and content. The Cardiac Fitness Program (CFP) is built on traditional training pillars of aerobic, strength, and flexibility, and adds a fourth, training a positive mindset. This study assesses whether the systematic and comprehensive framework of the CFP results in broad benefits for a range of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). Data from participants between 01/2017 and 12/2022 were analyzed. Pre- and post-CFP cardiopulmonary exercise test parameters, strength and flexibility metrics, and mindset survey results were compared overall, and by sex, age, diagnosis, and hemodynamic level. Of 62 participants (median age 15.5 years, range 8 to 23, 50% female), 3% had simple, 37% complex, 24% single ventricle CHD, and 35% arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, or transplant. Significant improvements were noted in aerobic fitness (mean 9 ± 15% increase in % predicted peak oxygen consumption, p < 0.001). Strength metrics significantly improved (each p < 0.001), as did flexibility (p < 0.001). Patient-reported positive mindset scores did not improve significantly (mean increase 1.8 ± 5.1, p = 0.10, n = 25), whereas parents reported significant improvements (5.9 ± 10.4, p = 0.02, n = 20). Improvements were not significantly different by sex, age, diagnosis, or hemodynamic level. Comprehensive training across four pillars of fitness yields significant improvements in aerobic fitness, strength, flexibility, and parent-reported mindset scores for pediatric CHD patients, regardless of patient characteristics, diagnosis type, or severity of hemodynamic limitation. Further study is warranted into optimal standardization of training and whether a comprehensive approach amplifies individual pillars to create more than the sum of its parts.

Evaluating the Impact of Point-of-Care Electroencephalography on Length of Stay in the Intensive Care Unit: Subanalysis of the SAFER-EEG Trial.

BACKGROUND: Electroencephalography (EEG) is needed to diagnose nonconvulsive seizures. Prolonged nonconvulsive seizures are associated with neuronal injuries and deleterious clinical outcomes. However, it is uncertain whether the rapid identification of these seizures using point-of-care EEG (POC-EEG) can have a positive impact on clinical outcomes. METHODS: In a retrospective subanalysis of the recently completed multicenter Seizure Assessment and Forecasting with Efficient Rapid-EEG (SAFER-EEG) trial, we compared intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), unfavorable functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≥ 4), and time to EEG between adult patients receiving a US Food and Drug Administration-cleared POC-EEG (Ceribell, Inc.) and those receiving conventional EEG (conv-EEG). Patient records from January 2018 to June 2022 at three different academic centers were reviewed, focusing on EEG timing and clinical outcomes. Propensity score matching was applied using key clinical covariates to control for confounders. Medians and interquartile ranges (IQRs) were calculated for descriptive statistics. Nonparametric tests (Mann-Whitney U-test) were used for the continuous variables, and the χ2 test was used for the proportions. RESULTS: A total of 283 ICU patients (62 conv-EEG, 221 POC-EEG) were included. The two populations were matched using demographic and clinical characteristics. We found that the ICU LOS was significantly shorter in the POC-EEG cohort compared to the conv-EEG cohort (3.9 [IQR 1.9-8.8] vs. 8.0 [IQR 3.0-16.0] days, p = 0.003). Moreover, modified Rankin Scale functional outcomes were also different between the two EEG cohorts (p = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals a significant association between early POC-EEG detection of nonconvulsive seizures and decreased ICU LOS. The POC-EEG differed from conv-EEG, demonstrating better functional outcomes compared with the latter in a matched analysis. These findings corroborate previous research advocating the benefit of early diagnosis of nonconvulsive seizure. The causal relationship between the type of EEG and metrics of interest, such as ICU LOS and functional/clinical outcomes, needs to be confirmed in future prospective randomized studies.

Comorbid ADHD and Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease: Prevalence and Risk Factors.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood condition that places youth at increased risk for deficits in complex attention suggestive of increased risk for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). We used systematic screening to assess the prevalence of ADHD in a clinic-based sample of youth with SCD and explored factors related to ADHD. Caregivers of 107 children with SCD (ages 7-11 years) completed routine psychosocial screening which included inattentive symptoms of ADHD. Follow-up diagnostic procedures were completed for patients with elevated inattentive symptoms to assess for ADHD diagnoses. Biomedical and social-environmental variables were examined from the screening and medical records. Twenty-six percent of patients showed elevated inattentive symptoms with 13% meeting diagnostic criteria for ADHD diagnoses. Most children (75%) who met criteria for ADHD had not been previously diagnosed. Disease severity did not predict inattentive symptoms or ADHD diagnoses, though a measure of chronic inflammation was associated with ADHD. Family functioning was related to elevated inattentive symptoms but not ADHD diagnoses. Children with SCD show relatively high rates of ADHD with many cases not detected through routine care. Screening for ADHD as part of hematology care may be a feasible strategy to improve identification and access to intervention.

Effect of switching from twice-daily basal insulin to once-daily insulin glargine 300 U/mL (Gla-300) in Brazilian people with type 1 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Low adherence to the number of insulin injections and glycemic variability are among the challenges of insulin therapy in type 1 diabetes (T1D). The TOP1 study investigated the effect of switching from twice-daily (BID) basal insulin to once daily (OD) insulin glargine 300 U/mL (Gla-300) on glycemic control and quality of life. METHODS: In this 28-week, phase 4 trial, people with T1D aged ≥ 18 years, who were treated with BID basal insulin in combination with prandial rapid-acting insulin for at least 1 year, and had HbA1c between 7.5% and 10.0%, were switched to Gla-300 OD as basal insulin. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of this change on HbA1c, glycemic profile, treatment satisfaction and safety. The change in HbA1c from baseline to Week 24 was the primary endpoint. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-three people with T1D (mean age 37 ± 11 years; 54.5% female) were studied. The disease duration was 20.0 ± 9.8 years, baseline HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were 8.6 ± 0.7% and 201 ± 80.3 mg/dL, respectively. After switching from BID to OD insulin regimen, no significant change in HbA1c was observed from baseline to Week 24 (p = 0.873). There were significant reductions in fasting self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) from baseline to Week 24 (175 ± 42 vs. 156 ± 38 mg/dL; p < 0.0001), and in glycemic profile (8-point SMBG) at several time points. There was a significant decrease in the proportion of patients with at least one hypoglycemic event (p = 0.025), in numbers of hypoglycemic events per patient-years of any type (p = 0.036), symptomatic (p = 0.007), and confirmed ≤ 70 mg/dL events (p = 0.049) from run-in to the last 4 weeks on treatment. There were significant improvements in treatment satisfaction (p < 0.0001), perceived hyperglycemia (p < 0.0001) scores and satisfaction with the number of injections between post-run-in and Week 24, and a significant decrease in fear of hypoglycemia. CONCLUSIONS: Switch from BID basal insulin to OD Gla-300 as part of basal bolus therapy in T1D resulted in similar glycemic control as measured by HbA1c, but provided significant improvements in SMBG, daily glucose profile, a lower incidence of hypoglycemia and increased patient satisfaction. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03406000.

Clinical outcomes in people with diabetes-related foot infections: Analysis from a limb preservation service infection database.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes-related foot infections are common and represent a significant clinical challenge. There are scant data about outcomes from large cohorts. The purpose of this study was to report clinical outcomes from a large cohort of people with diabetes-related foot infections. METHODS: A tertiary referral hospital limb preservation service database was established in 2018, and all new episodes of foot infections were captured prospectively using an electronic database (REDCap). People with foot infections between January 2018 and May 2023, for whom complete data were available on infection episodes, were included. Infection outcomes were compared between skin and soft tissue infections (SST-DFI) and osteomyelitis (OM) using chi-square tests. RESULTS: Data extraction identified 647 complete DFI episodes in 397 patients. The data set was divided into two cohorts identifying each infection episode and its severity as either SST-DFI (N = 326, 50%) or OM (N = 321, 50%). Most infection presentations were classified as being moderate (PEDIS 3 = 327, 51%), with 36% mild (PEDIS 2 = 239) and 13% severe (PEDIS 4 = 81). Infection resolution occurred in 69% (n = 449) of episodes with failure in 31% (n = 198). Infection failures were more common with OM than SST-DFI (OM = 140, 71% vs. SST-DFI = 58, 29%, p < 0.00001). In patients with SST-DFI a greater number of infection failures were observed in the presence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) compared to the patients without PAD (failure occurred in 30% (31/103) of episodes with PAD and 12% (27/223) of episodes without PAD; p < 0.001). In contrast, the number of observed infection failures in OM episodes were similar in patients with and without PAD (failure occurred in 45% (57/128) of episodes with PAD and 55% (83/193) of episodes without PAD; p = 0.78). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides important epidemiological data on the risk of poor outcomes for DFI and factors associated with poor outcomes in an Australian setting. It highlights the association of PAD and treatment failure, reinforcing the need for early intervention to improve PAD in patients with DFI. Future randomised trials should assess the benefits of revascularisation and surgery in people with DFI and particularly those with OM where outcomes are worse.

Beyond surgery: Pre- and post-operative care in children with ankyloglossia.

BACKGROUND: Surgical intervention for tongue-tie, or ankyloglossia performed by paediatric dentists can alleviate symptoms and improve functional abilities in infants and children. Despite widespread practice, there are currently no established clinical guidelines or consistent approaches for pre- and post-operative care of children. AIM: The aim of this study was to explore approaches to pre- and post-operative care for children with ankyloglossia having frenum surgery. DESIGN: A scoping review of peer-reviewed articles in four electronic databases was conducted. Intervention studies that reported on pre- or post-operative regimens for infants, children and adolescents (0 to 18 years) with a diagnosis of tongue-tie or ankyloglossia, who had surgical intervention such as frenotomy or frenectomy, were included and quality assessments performed. RESULTS: Twenty-three studies were identified, with seven studies incorporating both pre- and post-operative care, and 16 studies focussing solely on post-operative care. Tongue exercises were commonly prescribed, and only three studies examined the relationship between post-operative care and recovery outcomes. Considerable variability existed in study design, prescribed care and outcome measures. CONCLUSION: There was substantial variability in pre- and post-operative care protocols, including dosage, frequency and duration of exercises and other care regimens for infants and children having frenum surgery. Further research is needed to determine the most effective course of pre- and post-operative care for children undergoing frenum surgery.

Are short term outcomes superior following total knee arthroplasty when infra-patellar fat pad is resected? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Data suggests the infra-patellar fat pad (IPFP) is resected in the majority of total knee arthroplasty cases. Current literature suggests there may be scope for increasing preservations rates. A systematic review and meta-analysis of available literature was performed to assess if resection of IPFP resulted in superior patient outcomes. METHODS: Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane, Embase and CINAHL were systematically searched in February 2024 for articles of relevance and meta-analysis conducted. A standardized mean difference and confidence interval of 95% was calculated. An odds ratio was calculated for all included datasets. Heterogeneity was assessed for using the I2 statistic. RESULTS: Thirteen studies were included within this review. IPFP resection shortened the patella tendon at 6 months post-operatively (OR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.02-0.12, P = 0.006). Results favoured preservation at 12 months post-operatively (OR, 0.02; 95% CI, -0.02 to 0.06, P = 0.32). Oxford Knee Society (OKS) results statistically favoured preservation at 6 months (OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 0.74-2.39, P = 0.0002). Findings at 12 months favoured resection (OR, -0.49; 95% CI, -5.39, 4.41, P = 0.84). Resection increased anterior knee pain at 6-12 months post-operatively (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.12-1.89, P = 0.005). Combined subgroup analysis of flexion favoured resection (OR, -2.15; 95% CI, -6.52 to 2.22, P = 0.34). CONCLUSION: OKS and patella tendon length results favoured preservation at 6 months however did not reach minimal clinically important difference. Combined subgroup analysis of flexion did not yield a statistically significant result. Rates of anterior knee pain at 6-12 months favoured preservation.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy - A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a modern concept that aims to improve the perioperative patient care by implementing an evidence-based, patient-centered team approach. This paper aims to analyze the outcome, variations and limits of the ERAS-protocols used for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: We performed a systematic review on PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science to document the outcomes of applying various ERAS protocols in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 8 papers, totaling 1453 patients that underwent LC, were included in the qualitative analysis. ERAS-protocols applied in those studies include various pre-, intra- and postoperative measures intended to boost the surgical recovery of the patients and shorten their hospital stay, without exposing them to hazardous encounters. Results: Patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy within an ERAS-specific protocol are proven to have lower levels of postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting, with no statistically significant risk of postoperative complications. The postoperative results show that ERAS-laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a feasible and safe procedure, that may shorten the postoperative recovery after LC. Conclusions: Further studies are needed to establish a consensus regarding the perioperative protocol, before implementing ERAS for LC in clinical routine.

Reoperative aortic root surgery: single-center long-term outcomes and literature review.

Background and Objective: Reoperative aortic root surgery has become more and more common over the years and is considered high-risk, with significantly worse outcomes compared to first-procedure root surgery. At our institution, this kind of surgery is frequently performed. The aim of the present review is to describe currently available literature on reoperative surgery on the aortic root in terms of patients' population, indications for surgery and outcomes and to present our center's experience on the matter. Methods: A literature review was performed in order to identify pertinent studies. They were then compared and described. We also described preoperative characteristics, operative strategies and outcomes of all the patients who underwent redo aortic root surgery from January 1986 to December 2022 at our center. Key Content and Findings: Our literature review identified 12 pertinent studies, with a total of 16,627 considered patients. The most frequent indications for redo surgery were endocarditis (35.5%), aneurysm, dissection and pseudoaneurysm. Mean cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and cross-clamp times were 218 and 152 minutes, respectively. In-hospital mortality was 12%. When analyzing our center's data, 344 procedures were identified. Aortic root dilation was the most frequent indication (36.9%). Mean CPB and cross-clamp times were 218.0±78.8 and 158.2±49.7 minutes, respectively. In-hospital mortality was 9.6%. Survival at 5 and 15 years was 76.1% and 51.4% respectively. Freedom from further aortic reintervention was 88.1% after 5 years and 64.9% after 15 years. Conclusions: Reoperative aortic root surgery is a difficult cardiac procedure which is linked to significantly higher mortality than first-time root replacement. If it is performed by experienced surgeons with a careful preoperative planning its result can still be satisfactory. Our results showed acceptable rates of mortality and reinterventions at follow-up. Endocarditis, however, was linked to worse outcomes.

Race and Socioeconomic Status Impact Diagnosis and Clinical Outcomes in Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis.

Background: Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is associated with significant mortality. The Val122Ile variant, highly prevalent in Black patients, portends poorer survival compared with other ATTR-CM subtypes. Although Val122Ile is biologically more aggressive, the contribution of race and socioeconomic status (SES) to disease outcomes in patients with ATTR-CM is undefined. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of race and SES on clinical outcomes in patients with ATTR-CM. Methods: Patients with ATTR-CM who received care at Johns Hopkins Hospital between 2006 and 2022 were included. SES was assessed using area deprivation index (ADI). Associations of race and ADI with heart failure (HF) hospitalization and/or death were measured using multivariable logistic or Cox proportional hazards models. Results: Of 282 patients, 225 (80%) were men, and 129 (46%) were Black. Black vs White patients disproportionately constituted the highest ADI (most deprived) category (66% vs 28%; P = 0.004), and Black patients were more likely to have HF hospitalization or death over 5 years compared with White patients (log-rank P < 0.001). Among those with ADI >25, Black patients had a significantly greater hazard of HF hospitalization or death compared with White patients, independent of disease stage at diagnosis (HR: 2.77; 95% CI: 1.45-5.32; P = 0.002). Conclusions: Black patients with low SES may be at greater risk for underdiagnosis and adverse outcomes compared with White patients. Ongoing efforts are needed to improve outcomes in this subset of patients with ATTR-CM.

Diversity in Cardio-Oncology Clinical Trials: JACC: CardioOncology How To.

•Intersectionality of health inequities in CVD and cancer may compound inequities in cardio-oncology.•Equitable access to clinical trials is 1 of many key strategies to mitigate these health disparities.•Cardio-oncology trials should collect and report the race and ethnicity of participants, including disaggregate data on smaller minority groups.•Successful interventions consist of multilevel strategies targeting structural-, clinical-, provider-, and patient-level barriers.

Patient-centric periodontal research: A pioneering application of patient-reported outcome measures.

Conventional dentistry or periodontal research often ignores the human component in favor of clinical outcomes and biological causes. Clinical research is driven by the statistical significance of outcome parameters rather than the satisfaction level of the patient. In this context, patient-centric periodontal research (PCPR) is an approach that considers the patient´s feedback concerning their functional status, experience, clinical outcomes, and accessibility to their treatments. It is argued that data self-reported by the patient might have low reliability owing to the confounding effect of their personal belief, cultural background, and social and economic factors. However, literature has shown that the incorporation of "patient-centric outcome" components considerably enhances the validity and applicability of research findings. Variations in the results of different studies might be due to the use of different and non-standardized assessment tools. To overcome this problem, this editorial enlists various reliable tools available in the literature. In conclusion, we advocate that the focus of researchers should shift from mere periodontal research to PCPR so that the results can be effectively applied in clinical settings and the therapeutic strategy can also change from mere periodontal therapy to patient-centric periodontal therapy.

Drinking Water Contaminant Concentrations and Birth Outcomes.

Previous research in the US has found negative health effects of contamination when it triggers regulatory violations. An important question is whether levels of contamination that do not trigger a health-based violation impact health. We study the impact of drinking water contamination in community water systems on birth outcomes using drinking water sampling results data in Pennsylvania. We focus on the effects of water contamination for births not exposed to regulatory violations. Our most rigorous specification employs mother fixed effects and finds changing from the 10th to the 90th percentile of water contamination (among births not exposed to regulatory violations) increases low birth weight by 12% and preterm birth by 17%.

Postoperative outcomes of third-generation shoulder hemiarthroplasties for three-and four-part proximal humeral fractures: A systematic review of published studies from 2012 to 2022.

Background: The aim of this study was to provide up-to-date evidence on the outcomes for hemiarthroplasties (HAs) that were performed using modern third-generation prostheses (post-2004) for isolated (excluding head-splits and fracture-dislocations) three-and four-part proximal humerus fractures (PHFs). Methods: PubMed, Medline, Embase and the Cochrane register were searched from January 1, 2012, to November 15, 2022, conforming to the PRISMA guidelines. The outcome measures were the complication rates, revision rates, surgery-related postoperative mortality, post-operative clinical outcome scores and radiological outcomes. Results: 432 hemiarthroplasties in 432 patients were performed across the 11 eligible studies (two prospective and 9 retrospective). Three studies compared HA versus reverse shoulder replacement (RSR); one study compared HA with locking plate fixation (LPF) and RSR; one study compared HA with LPF. 61.1 % and 19.4 % of hemiarthroplasties were performed using cemented and uncemented techniques respectively, while cementing data was ill-defined in 19.4 % of shoulders. The results for the outcome measures have been derived directly from the included studies and no statistical pooling was performed, due to heterogeneity in the different study designs and outcomes. Descriptive data synthesis from the included studies showed that third generation HAs have higher overall postoperative complication rates, with similar revision and mortality rates when compared to RSR and LPF for three-and four-part PHFs. RSR and LPF showed better statistically significant improvements than HA for the Constant-Murley score, Quick DASH, forward flexion and abduction. Mixed results were observed for the DASH score, ASES score and internal rotation ROM between RSR/LPF versus HA. Conclusion: Low to moderate quality evidence from this review showed that even third-generation HA prostheses provided worse overall outcomes than RSR and LPF for three-and four-part PHFs.

Minimum 10-year follow-up outcomes of arthroscopic Bankart's repair with metallic anchors: Reliable results with low redislocation rates.

BACKGROUND: With stiff competition from alternative albeit more expensive counterparts, it has become important to establish the applicability of metallic anchors for shoulder instability in the modern era. This can be accomplished, in part, by analysing long-term outcomes. AIM: To analyse minimum 10-year outcomes from 30 patients following arthroscopic anterior stabilisation using metallic anchors. METHODS: Prospectively collected data from arthroscopic Bankart repairs performed using metal anchors during 2007P-2010 were retrospectively analysed in this single-surgeon study. Comprehensive data collection included historical and clinical findings, dislocation details, operative specifics, and follow-up radiological and clinical findings including shoulder scores. The primary outcomes were patient-reported scores (Constant, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons [ASES], and Rowe scores) and pain and instability on a visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: A 3% recurrence rate of dislocation was noted at the final follow-up. Total constant scores at 10 years postoperatively measured between 76 and 100 (mean 89) were significantly better than preoperative scores (mean 62.7). Congruous improvements were also noted in the Rowe and ASES scores and VAS at the 10-year review. CONCLUSION: Reliable long-term outcomes with metallic anchors in surgery for shoulder instability can be expected. Our results provide additional evidence of their continued, cost-effective presence in the modern scenario.

The impact of reference growth standards on small- and large-for-gestational age outcomes among pregnancies conceived by fresh and frozen embryo transfers.

Objective: To describe differences in the frequency of small-for-gestational age (SGA) and large-for-gestational age (LGA) driven by different birth weight curves in assisted reproductive technology (ART)-conceived pregnancies. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Single academic medical center. Patients: Singleton live births between the gestational ages of 36 weeks and 0 days and 42 weeks and 6 days from fresh or frozen embryo transfer (ET). Interventions: None. Main Outcome Measures: SGA (<10th percentile) and LGA (>90th percentile) classified by Fenton, INTERGROWTH-21, World Health Organization, Duryea, and Oken curves. Results: The median birth weight and gestational age at birth among fresh ET pregnancies were 3,289g (interquartile range [IQR], 2,977-3,600g) and 39.4 (IQR, 38.6-40.3) weeks, respectively, and those among frozen ET pregnancies were 3,399g (IQR, 3,065-3,685g) and 39.4 (IQR, 38.7-40.1) weeks, respectively. The frequencies of SGA neonates using each birth weight standard ranged from 5.8% to 13.4% for fresh ET and from 3.5% to 8.7% for frozen ET. Those of LGA neonates ranged from 5.3% to 14.3% for fresh ET and from 6.6% to 21.2% for frozen ET. Conclusion: The frequency of SGA and LGA neonates among ART-conceived gestations is partially driven by the birth weight standard. Selecting an appropriate standard that best reflects the patient population is critical to quantifying the risk of ART-conceived pregnancies.