Balance diagnostics in propensity score analysis following multiple imputation: A new method.

The combination of propensity score analysis and multiple imputation has been prominent in epidemiological research in recent years. However, studies on the evaluation of balance in this combination are limited. In this paper, we propose a new method for assessing balance in propensity score analysis following multiple imputation. A simulation study was conducted to evaluate the performance of balance assessment methods (Leyrat's, Leite's, and new method). Simulated scenarios varied regarding the presence of missing data in the control or treatment and control group, and the imputation model with/without outcome. Leyrat's method was more biased in all the studied scenarios. Leite's method and the combine method yielded balanced results with lower mean absolute difference, regardless of whether the outcome was included in the imputation model or not. Leyrat's method had a higher false positive ratio and Leite's and combine method had higher specificity and accuracy, especially when the outcome was not included in the imputation model. According to simulation results, most of time, Leyrat's method and Leite's method contradict with each other on appraising the balance. This discrepancy can be solved using new combine method.

Improvement of survival after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and trends at a pediatric transplantation center; a three-decade journey.

BACKGROUND: Advances in stem cell transplantation have resulted in improved outcomes. METHODS: This is a retrospective study aimed to analyze changes in patient profile, transplantation, graft characteristics, and outcome among 241 pediatric patients who received stem cell transplantation in a single center between 1993 and 2019. RESULTS: In the 2010-2019, compared with the 1993-2009 period, a significantly higher 5-year overall survival (60% vs. 44%, p = .022) and an event-free survival (53% vs. 34%, p = .025) were observed. Cumulative incidence of deaths due to relapse or progression between the 1993-2009 and 2010-2019 periods were 33% and 26% respectively (p = .66). Cumulative incidence of non-relapse mortality was significantly higher during the 1993-2009 period compared with the 2010-2019 period for malignant diseases (57.7% vs. 28.3%, p = .007). The overall survival from acute graft-versus-host disease between 1993 and 2009 was 11% versus 46% between 2010 and 2019 (p = .0001). The overall survival from infection in both eras did not show any difference (p = .41). CONCLUSIONS: Development in transplantation technology has led to a decrease in non-relapse mortality and better control of graft-versus-host disease. However, relapse and infection remained as major causes of death. Studies evaluating institutional trends in patients undergoing HSCT and analyzing their mortality profile, can improve the management of patients, leading to a reduction in transplant-related problems.

Lung ultrasound score in the decision of patent ductus arteriosus closure in neonates.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the role of lung ultrasound (LUS) score in the closure of hemodynamically insignificant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and the clinical findings of the patients before and after closure. METHODS: The study groups (107 preterm neonates under 34 gestational weeks) were classified as hemodynamically significant PDA (group 1), hemodynamically insignificant PDA with closure therapy (group 2), hemodynamically insignificant PDA without closure therapy (group 3), and no PDA group (group 4) based on the echocardiography. 6- and 10-region LUS scores were compared for each group. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between groups 1 and 3 on first, third, and seventh days. In contrast, groups 1 and 2 had similar LUS scores on the first, third, and seventh days. There was a negative correlation between LUS scores on the first and third days and gestational age, birth weight, the first- and fifth-minute APGAR scores, and there was a positive correlation between aortic root to left atrium ratio, and PDA diameter/weight ratio. CONCLUSION: We observed that LUS scores in patients with hemodynamically insignificant PDA treated with closure therapy were similar to in patients with hemodynamically significant PDA. Thus, LUS score can have role in PDA closure in preterm neonates. However, more comprehensive studies are needed.

The Cukurova score in the prediction of primary cytoreduction in ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Primary debulking surgery has been the preferred surgical route and is still considered a quality indicator for advanced ovarian cancer surgery. However, a significant number of patients are not amenable to upfront surgery. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and interval debulking surgery may be the most suitable approach for this group. This study aimed to evaluate a novel score for prediction of the cytoreduction results at primary debulking surgery for ovarian cancer patients. METHODS: This observational prospective study was conducted at a tertiary gynecologic oncology center between December 2020 and August 2022. Presumed primary stage III-IV epithelial ovarian carcinoma cases were included. Borderline tumors, and metastatic or non-epithelial ovarian malignancies, were excluded. Based on imaging findings, points were assigned to each anticipated surgical procedure required for complete cytoreduction. The sum of these points was multiplied by the patient's Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score, and thus, the Cukurova-clinic score was established. Furthermore, the required surgical procedures based on laparoscopic evaluation were recorded, and the score was readjusted and calculated to obtain the Cukurova score. RESULTS: One hundred and fourteen patients were included in the study. Primary debulking surgery was performed in 70% of cases. Among them, complete cytoreduction (Cukurova score ≤12) was obtained in 97.3% of cases. Complete cytoreduction was not achieved in cases with Cukurova score >12. The odds ratio of 90-day mortality was 13.4 for patients with Cukurova score >12, compared with those with Cukurova score ≤12. CONCLUSION: The Cukurova score is a model for classifying advanced ovarian cancer patients who may be candidates for primary debulking surgery.

Factors predicting kidney replacement therapy in pediatric earthquake victims with crush syndrome in the first week following rescue.

Crush syndrome due to traumatic rhabdomyolysis is one of the most significant problems to occur following earthquakes. On February 6, 2023, millions of people in Turkey were affected by two consecutive Kahramanmaras earthquakes. The present study reports the analysis of clinical and laboratory findings of crush syndrome in pediatric earthquake victims admitted to our hospital from our region where the earthquake had a devastating effect. Clinical and laboratory findings concerning earthquake victims with crush syndrome were analyzed within the first week to determine what factors are predictive of kidney replacement therapy (KRT). The data of patients were retrospectively collected from medical records. A total of 310 children were admitted as earthquake victims to the pediatric emergency department. Ninety-seven (31%) of these patients had crush syndrome. Fifty-three (55%) of those with crush syndrome were female. The mean age was 10.9 ± 4.7 years, and the mean time under the rubble was 30.6 ± 23.8 h. Twenty-two patients (23%) required KRT. Hemodialysis was applied to 16 (73%) of them, and hemodiafiltration was applied to the other six (27%) in the pediatric intensive care unit. Regarding creatine kinase (CK) levels, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) for predicting KRT was 0.905 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.848-0.963; p < 0.001). The optimal cut-off value was 40,000 U/L with a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 83%. In terms of the percentage of body area crushed, the AUC for predicting KRT was 0.907 (95% CI 0.838-0.976; p < 0.001). The optimal cut-off value was 30% with a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 88%. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that each 10% increase in body area crushed (OR 4.16, 95% CI 1.58-10.93, p = 0.004) and 1 mg/dl increase in the serum phosphorus level (OR 4.19, 95% CI 1.71-10.28, p = 0.002) were significant risk factors for dialysis treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Crush syndrome and kidney problems are common following disasters like earthquakes. Clinical and laboratory findings at admission can predict dialysis requirement in earthquake victims. While CK elevation, body area crushed percentage, and increased phosphorus level were predictive of dialysis treatment, time under the rubble was not. Even if the patients were under the rubble for a short time, acute kidney injury (AKI) may develop as a result of severe hypovolemia due to crush injuries, and patients may need KRT. WHAT IS KNOWN: •Crush syndrome after earthquakes needs to be treated carefully in victims and can cause AKI and mortality when not treated timely and appropriately. WHAT IS NEW: •CK level elevation, body area crushed percentage, and increased phosphorus level are predictive of dialysis treatment. •The time under the rubble may not be predictive of dialysis requirement.

Evaluation of the relationship between blood cell markers and inflammation, disease activity, and general health status in ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the relation of systemic immune inflammation index, systemic inflammation response index, and systemic inflammation aggregate index with disease activity, functional status, and general health status in ankylosing spondylitis. METHODS: Patients with ankylosing spondylitis and healthy volunteers were included in this cross-sectional study. Demographic data; disease activity measurements such as the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score with C-reactive protein, and the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score with erythrocyte sedimentation rate; functional status such as the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index; and general health status such as the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society Health Index of the patients were recorded. C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, platelet to lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, monocyte to lymphocyte ratio, systemic immune inflammation index, systemic inflammation response index, and systemic inflammation aggregate index values were recorded. Patients were grouped as active and remission according to the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index score and as inactive-low and high-very high disease activity according to the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score. The correlation of laboratory parameters with disease-related parameters was tested. RESULTS: The indexes were significantly higher in patients compared to controls (p<0.001, for platelet to lymphocyte ratio p=0.03). No significant differences existed in any blood cell-derived indexes among patient groups categorized by disease activity (p<0.05 for all). Systemic immune inflammation index was weakly correlated with Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score with C-reactive protein (ρ=0.197 and p=0.049) and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ρ=0.201 and p=0.045). Systemic immune inflammation index was not correlated with Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, and Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society Health Index. No correlation was found between other indexes and disease-related variables. Platelet to lymphocyte ratio, systemic immune inflammation index, systemic inflammation response index, and systemic inflammation aggregate index showed a weak positive correlation with C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ρ=0.200-0.381). CONCLUSION: Systemic immune inflammation index, systemic inflammation response index, and systemic inflammation aggregate index can be used to indicate systemic inflammatory burden in ankylosing spondylitis patients. However, these indexes are not effective in indicating patients' disease activity, general health status, and functional status.

Biopsychosocial factors should be considered when evaluating central sensitization in axial spondyloarthritis.

To identify the determinants of central sensitization (CS) in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) was used to determine CS frequency. Disease-related variables including Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS-CRP/-ESR), Maastricht Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis Score (MASES), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (ASQoL) and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)GLOBAL were assessed. Biopsychosocial variables were evaluated by the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and subscales for Anxiety (HADS-A) and Depression (HADS-D), and Jenkins Sleep Evaluation Scale (JSS). To determine the predictors of the development and severity of CS, multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were performed. The frequency of CS was 57.4% in the study population (n = 108). CSI score was correlated with the duration of morning stiffness, BASDAI, ASDAS-CRP, ASDAS-ESR, NRSGLOBAL, BASFI, MASES, ASOoL, JSS, HADS, and B-IPQ total scores (ρ ranged from 0.510 to 0.853). Multiple regression analysis indicated that BASDAI (OR: 10.44, 95% CI: 2.65-41.09), MASES (OR: 2.47, 95% CI: 1.09-5.56) and HADS-A (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.11-2.37) were independent predictors of the development of CS. Additionally, higher NRSGLOBAL, JSS, HADS-D, and HADS-A scores appeared to determine the severity of CS. This study confirms that worse disease activity, more enthesal involvement, and anxiety independently predict the development of CS. Additionally, higher patient-perceived disease activity, sleep impairment and poor mental health significantly contribute to the severity of CS.

Microvascular damage evaluation based on nailfold videocapillarosopy in sarcoidosis.

OBJECTIVES: Microvascular damage is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis. We aimed to evaluate the nailfold capillaroscopy (NVC) pattern to detect microvascular changes in patients with sarcoidosis and the relationship of capillaroscopic parameters with clinical variables and disease-related measurements. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-two patients with sarcoidosis and 42 age- and sex-matched patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and healthy individuals were included in this cross-sectional case-control study. Patients aged 18-80 years who met the current American Thoracic Society criteria for sarcoidosis were included. NVC was performed by a digital microscope under a magnification of × 200. Capillary density, number of dilated, giant and neoangiogenic capillaries, capillary loop diameter, capillary shape, micro-hemorrhages, and number of avascular areas, were evaluated by an assessor who was blind to the groups allocation. RESULTS: Among the capillaroscopic parameters, neoangiogenesis and dilated capillaries, which can be seen in the pattern of scleroderma, were detected in patients with sarcoidosis but not significantly different from the control group (p = 0.055; p = 0.433, respectively). The rate of tortuosity and crossing capillaries of 50% and above was significantly higher in the sarcoidosis group than in SSc and healthy controls (p < 0.05). In patients with sarcoidosis, the only statistically significant finding was; forced expiratory volume (FEV1) in one second was lower in patients with a crossed capillary rate > 50% than in patients with a crossed capillary rate of less than 50% (FEV1; 87.21 ± 19.3, 102.5 ± 14.8, p = 0.04; respectively). CONCLUSION: Patients with a diagnosis of sarcoidosis have different capillaroscopic patterns. The presence of these nonspecific abnormal patterns may reflect microvascular damage in the pathophysiology of sarcoidosis. Key Points • Microvascular damage may play a role in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis. • There may be some nonspecific abnormal findings in capillaroscopy findings in sarcoidosis. • Capillaroscopy may be valuable in reflecting sarcoidosis lung injury.

Cardiac effects of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: One-year follow-up.

AIM: Cardiovascular involvement is common among children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) and can cause shock and death. In this study, we evaluated the early and long-term cardiac effects of MIS-C. METHODS: In this observational cohort study, we included all children treated for MIS-C from October 2020 to November 2021 in the Department of Paediatric Infectious Disease at Cukurova University School of Medicine Hospital. The patients underwent serial echocardiographical evaluation during hospitalisation and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after discharge. The patients were evaluated using Holter monitorisation between 4 and 6 months and using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging at 6 months and thereafter. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients diagnosed with MIS-C and with a median age of 84 months were included. Cardiac involvement was found in 19 (73.1%) patients. At initial echocardiographic evaluation, the mean ejection fraction value of the patients was 56.7% (range: 30-75). Coronary artery dilatation was detected in two (7.7%) patients, and mitral regurgitation persisted in only one patient by month 3. Treatment was started in two (7.7%) patients due to ventricular arrhythmia. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 13 (50%) patients at a median of 6 months (range: 5-9). The cardiac magnetic resonance imaging findings were consistent with possible interstitial fibrosis in two (7.7%) patients. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that cardiac involvement of patients improved rapidly with treatment, as indicated by previous studies. However, during the 1-year follow-up, frequent extraventricular systole was detected in two patients, one of whom initially did not show cardiac involvement. Moreover, possible interstitial fibrosis was detected in the cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation of two patients. In particular, we believe that these findings may be useful to evaluate critically ill paediatric patients and patients with severely low EF with cardiac MRI in their follow-up.

Analysis of Macular Microvasculature in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the retinal and choroidal microvascular blood flow in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). METHODS: Macular OCTA parameters including vessel density (VD) of parafoveal superficial capillary plexus (SCP-VD) and deep capillary plexus (DCP-VD), foveal vessel density (FD), foveal avascular zone area, and flow area of choriocapillaris were analyzed in 42 HIV-positive patients, and compared with 42 healthy controls. RESULTS: The mean SCP-VD, DCP-VD and FD were significantly lower in HIV-positive group compared with controls (p < .001, p = .014, p = .026; respectively). Reduced SCP-VD was associated with higher HIV RNA plasma level (r = -0.400, p = .021) and lower CD4 + T cell count (r = 0.314, p = .046) in HIV-positive patients. CONCLUSIONS: Macular microvascular blood flow is affected by HIV infection. OCTA can detect microvascular flow abnormalities in retinal capillary plexus in HIV-positive patients.

A machine learning approach to distinguishing between non-functioning and autonomous cortisol secreting adrenal incidentaloma on magnetic resonance imaging using texture analysis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the possibility of distinguishing between nonfunctioning adrenal incidentalomas (NFAI) and autonomous cortisol secreting adrenal incidentalomas (ACSAI) with a model created with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based radiomics and clinical features. METHODS: In this study, 100 adrenal lesions were evaluated. The lesions were segmented on unenhanced T1-weighted in-phase (IP) and opposed-phase (OP) as well as on T2-weighted (T2-W) 3Tesla MRIs. The LASSO regression model was used to select potential predictors from 108 texture features for each sequence. Subsequently, a combined radiomics score and clinical features were created and compared. RESULTS: A significant difference was found between median rad-scores for ACSAI and NFAI in training and test sets (p < 0.05 for all sequences). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the length of the tumor (OR = 1.09, p = 0.007) was an independent risk factor related to ACSAI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used for building clinical-radiomics (combined) models. The Op, IP, and IP plus T2-W model had a higher performance with area under curve (AUC) 0.758, 0.746, and 0.721 on the test dataset, respectively. CONCLUSION: ACSAI can be distinguished from NFAI with high accuracy on unenhanced MRI. Radiomics analysis and the model constructed by machine learning algorithms seem superior to another radiologic assessment method. The inclusion of chemical shift MRI and the length of the tumor in the radiomics model could increase the power of the test.

Effect of QMix as final irrigation protocol on periapical healing after single-visit root canal treatment: A randomised controlled clinical trial.

The aim of this study was to evaluate radiographic periapical repair after endodontic treatment using QMix or NaOCl irrigation in single-rooted teeth with apical periodontitis. In this randomised clinical trial, 60 patients were selected and randomised into two groups (n = 30). After instrumentation of root canals, QMix or NaOCl was used as a final irrigation and the canals obturated with gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer. All the participants were recalled after 12 months and 15 patients were lost to the study so 45 patients were evaluated radiographically according to periapical index (PAI) scores. A significant decrease was seen in PAI scores after 1 year in all patients (p < 0.001). In the QMix and NaOCl group, absence or reduction of radiolucency was observed in 23 of 25 teeth (92%) and 20 of 20 teeth (100%), respectively. There was no significant difference between two groups according to the decrease in PAI score (p = 0.508). Root canal treatments with or without QMix irrigation contributed equally to periapical healing.

Evaluation of the relationship between blood cell markers and inflammation, disease activity, and general health status in ankylosing spondylitis

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the relation of systemic immune inflammation index, systemic inflammation response index, and systemic inflammation aggregate index with disease activity, functional status, and general health status in ankylosing spondylitis. METHODS: Patients with ankylosing spondylitis and healthy volunteers were included in this cross-sectional study. Demographic data; disease activity measurements such as the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score with C-reactive protein, and the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score with erythrocyte sedimentation rate; functional status such as the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index; and general health status such as the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society Health Index of the patients were recorded. C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, platelet to lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, monocyte to lymphocyte ratio, systemic immune inflammation index, systemic inflammation response index, and systemic inflammation aggregate index values were recorded. Patients were grouped as active and remission according to the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index score and as inactive-low and high-very high disease activity according to the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score. The correlation of laboratory parameters with disease-related parameters was tested. RESULTS: The indexes were significantly higher in patients compared to controls (p<0.001, for platelet to lymphocyte ratio p=0.03). No significant differences existed in any blood cell-derived indexes among patient groups categorized by disease activity (p<0.05 for all). Systemic immune inflammation index was weakly correlated with Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score with C-reactive protein (ρ=0.197 and p=0.049) and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ρ=0.201 and p=0.045). Systemic immune inflammation index was not correlated with Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, and Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society Health Index. No correlation was found between other indexes and disease-related variables. Platelet to lymphocyte ratio, systemic immune inflammation index, systemic inflammation response index, and systemic inflammation aggregate index showed a weak positive correlation with C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ρ=0.200-0.381). CONCLUSION: Systemic immune inflammation index, systemic inflammation response index, and systemic inflammation aggregate index can be used to indicate systemic inflammatory burden in ankylosing spondylitis patients. However, these indexes are not effective in indicating patients' disease activity, general health status, and functional status.

Factors Associated with Early Referral for Pediatric Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.

Determinants of early referral to healthcare providers, which may be useful for health policy, have not been investigated in pediatric cutaneous leishmaniasis with multivariate analyses. We aimed to explore determinants of early healthcare seeking in children with cutaneous leishmaniasis. Records of 1115 children with cutaneous leishmaniasis admitted to our hospital in Adana, Turkey were reviewed. Effects of age, sex, residential distance, lesion number, and faciocervical onset on early referral were evaluated with multivariate logistic regression analyses. The mean duration of the disease was 12.7 months. Early referral was significantly more likely in patients aged 1-5 and 6-10 years (odds ratio 2.32 and 1.32, respectively) than patients aged 11-18 years. A borderline-significant association was present for faciocervical onset. Early referral in younger children might be due to the fact that the younger the child, the greater the parental concerns about their child's health problems. The rate of late referral in older children may be decreased by some school-based health interventions.

Using ANI 35/L approach to evaluate the welfare status of locally adapted Anatolian Black cattle.

In this study, it was aimed to determine of the shelter conditions and welfare levels of Anatolian Black cattle grown in two different regions of Turkey. Accordingly, welfare assessment was made at the farm level according to the Animal Needs Index (ANI 35L/2000) method, a total of 76 in Ankara and Antalya provinces. The material of the research was composed of Anatolian Black cattle farms within the scope of the Project on Conservation of Domestic Genetic Resources. According to the ANI welfare assessment method, scoring was composed of a total of 30 criteria in 5 different categories, namely, locomotion, social interaction, flooring, light air and stockmanship. In the study, the average of all farms was determined as 22.73 points in winter and 41.36 points in summer. These values were found to be 22.00 and 23.98 in winter and 40.87 and 42.20 in summer, respectively, in Ankara and Antalya provinces. As a result of the study, it was found that the opportunity for animals to go to the courtyard and pasture has positive contributions to animal welfare. Moreover, it determined that factors such as stall size, available floor area, flooring and lighting adversely affected animal welfare in winter. The ANI 35L method can be recommended to determine the welfare levels of farms that have production by traditional methods and not possible to examine many animal-based parameters.

Can pretreatment hepatic artery perfusion scintigraphy in patients with liver malignancies predict the treatment response of the selective internal radiation therapy with 90Y resin microspheres?

PURPOSE We aimed to evaluate whether the perfusion pattern from pretreatment hepatic artery perfusion scintigraphy (HAPS) in patients with liver malignancies can predict response to selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT). METHODS This retrospective study analyzed 152 consecutive patients treated with yttrium-90 (90Y) resin microspheres between April 2015 and July 2017. HAPS using single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) with 99mtechnetium macroaggregated albumin (99mTc-MAA) was performed before SIRT. Investigators visually classified perfusion patterns of tumors as heterogeneous or diffuse in HAPS. Between diffuse and heterogeneous pattern group, positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed in third and sixth month after SIRT, and tumor response assessed and compared by using RECIST 1.1 or mRECIST. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were also compared with Kaplan-Meier/log-rank analyses. RESULTS Of 216 SIRT procedures, 172 were classified as heterogeneous and 44 as diffuse. Diffuse 99mTc- MAA uptake was associated with longer median OS than heterogeneous (22.2 vs. 14.4 months, respectively; P = .047). Subsegmental infusion was associated with longer OS than either lobar or segmental infusion (P = .090). Mean estimated OS was longer in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (34.2 months) than with colorectal carcinoma (CRC) (16.4 months) (P = .044). Patients with both diffuse and heterogeneous patterns were able to show complete response after SIRT. No statistically significant differences were observed between perfusion patterns and PFS or response rates to SIRT. CONCLUSION Although tumor perfusion patterns from preplanning HAPS analyses are useful for estimating tumor uptake of 90Y, they may not reliably predict hepatic treatment response, as patients with different perfusion patterns can show clinical response to SIRT.

More than tubular dysfunction: cystinosis and kidney outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Cystinosis is a lysosomal storage disease that affects many tissues. Its prognosis depends predominantly on kidney involvement. Cystinosis has three clinical forms: nephropathic infantile, nephropathic juvenile and non-nephropathic adult. Proximal tubular dysfunction is prominent in the infantile form, whereas a combination of glomerular and tubular alterations are observed in the juvenile form. METHODS: Thirty-six children with nephropathic cystinosis were included in the study. Clinical features, molecular genetic diagnoses, and kidney outcomes of the patients were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-one children (58.3%) were male. The median age at diagnosis was 18.5 months. Twenty-eight patients (77.8%) had infantile nephropathic cystinosis, while eight (22.2%) had juvenile nephropathic cystinosis. An acute rapid deterioration of the kidney function with proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and nephrotic syndrome, was observed in 37.5% of patients with the juvenile form. The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 82.31 ± 37.45 ml/min/1.73m2 at diagnosis and 63.10 ± 54.60 ml/min/1.73m2 at the last visit (p = 0.01). Six patients (16.6%) had kidney replacement therapy (KRT) at the last visit. The median age of patients with kidney failure was 122 months. Patients with a spot urine protein/creatinine ratio < 6 mg/mg at the time of diagnosis had better kidney outcomes (p = 0.01). The most common allele was c.451A>G (32.6%). The patients with the most common mutation tended to have higher mean eGFR and lower leukocyte cystine levels than patients with other mutations. CONCLUSION: Glomerulonephritis may be a frequent finding in addition to the well-known tubular dysfunction in patients with cystinosis. Furthermore, our results highlight that the presence of severe proteinuria at the time of diagnosis is a relevant prognostic factor for kidney survival.

The effect of a home-based orofacial exercise program on oral aperture of patients with systemic sclerosis: A single-blind prospective randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the effect of a home-based orofacial exercise program on the oral aperture (OA) of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This single-blind prospective randomized controlled study performed between March 2017 and January 2019 included 56 SSc patients (3 males, 53 females; mean age 52.9±10.6 years; range, 31 to 70 years) with an OA of <40 mm. Patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 (n=28, mean age 53.8±9.6 years) was given orofacial exercise program twice a day for one month in addition to oral hygiene care advices, followed by no activity for the next month. Group 2 (n=28, mean age 50.0±11 years) received oral hygiene care advices for the first month followed by the same exercise program for the next month. Patients' OA was measured at baseline, and at first and second months. RESULTS: After the first month, OA increased in Group 1 (p<0.001), whereas no change was observed in Group 2 (p=0.579). At the end of two months, there was no additional increase in Group 1 (p=0.352), while there was a significant increase in Group 2 (p<0.001). There was no difference between OAs of the groups at the end of the trial (p=0.564). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that home-based orofacial exercise program improves OA of SSc patients.

Evaluation of the effects of shift work on parasomnia prevalence.

Shift work is increasingly common in industrialized countries but is associated with numerous health problems, especially sleep disorders. This study compared the frequency of NREM (confusional arousal, sleep terrors, sleepwalking, sleep-related eating disorder), REM parasomnias (REM sleep behavior disorder, nightmare disorder), and isolated symptoms/normal variants (sleeptalking) between shift workers and daytime workers. A total of 1473 participants in 3 different professional groups and working different shift schedules (daytime, night, or rotating shifts) were included. Participants completed a questionnaire consisting of 132 questions about parasomnia, occupational stress, history of occupational and traffic accidents, depression, and other sleep disorders. The lifetime parasomnia prevalence was 43.7% and the 1-year parasomnia prevalence was 24.4% overall. The 1-year parasomnia prevalence was 27.5% among shift workers and 13% among daytime workers. This rate was highest among rotating shift workers (27.9%), followed by night shift workers (21.2%), and lowest in daytime workers (13%) (P < .001). The most common parasomnias reported were sleep terrors, confusional arousals, and sleeptalking. Parasomnia prevalence rates among workers with and without a history of occupational accidents were 43.7% and 24.2%, while those of workers with and without a history of car accidents were 47.4% and 23.8%, respectively (P < .001). Shift work was associated with higher parasomnia prevalence. Working rotating shifts in particular was an independent risk factor for parasomnia. The parasomnias most frequently associated with shift work were confusional arousal, sleeptalking, and sleep terrors. It should be kept in mind that higher parasomnia rates may increase the risk of occupational and traffic accidents in this population.

Modified Lung Ultrasound Score in Evaluating the Severity of Covid-19 Pneumonia.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 causes coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), which has been declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The aim of the study described here was to determine the severity of pneumonia and the clinical parameters related to a modified lung ultrasound score (mLUS) in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. The study included 44 patients with proven COVID-19 pneumonia. Patients were divided into three groups on the basis of pneumonia severity: mild/moderate pneumonia (group I), severe pneumonia (group II) and critically ill patients (group III). It was determined that mLUS values in groups I-III were 6.51 ± 4.12, 23.5 ± 5.9 and 24.7 ± 3.9, respectively. mLUS values were significantly higher in group II and III patients than in group I patients. There was a positive relationship between mLUS and age and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level and a negative relationship with PaO2/FiO2 (p = 0.032, ß = 0.275 vs. p = 0.012, ß = 0.315 vs. p = 0.001, ß = -0.520, respectively). In patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, mLUS increases significantly with the severity of the disease.