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Purpose: To assess the survival of double-crown-retained implant-and-tooth-supported removable partial dentures (DCR-ITSRPDs), evaluate abutment survival, and identify first aftercare measures. Materials and Methods: The influence of various factors on the survival of the DCR-ITSRPDs and the abutments were observed in this retrospective and clinical follow-up study using the Kaplan-Meier estimate. In addition, the first-required aftercare measure for each prosthesis was evaluated. Results: In total, 47 DCR-ITSRPDs were investigated (mean observation: 4.3 ± 3.8 years; max: 14.3 years), 3 of which (6.4%) had to be replaced. The survival probability for DCR-ITSRPDs was 100% at 5 years and 75% at 10 years. A total of 297 abutments (120 natural teeth and 177 dental implants) were observed, 22 of which (7.4%; 6 teeth and 16 implants) failed. The survival probability for teeth was 90.2% at the 5- and 10-year mark; for dental implants, it was 90.4% at 5 years and 76.3% at 10 years. Conclusions: DCR-ITSRPDs are a successful and durable treatment option for patients with substantially reduced residual dentitions. Both prostheses and abutments show good survival times after 5 and 10 years in function. The patient-associated factors tested showed no influence on the survival of DCR-ITSRPDs and abutments. Peri-implant infection was the decisive factor for abutment loss; therefore, regular dental prophylaxis and examinations are of major importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The evidence base for the use of space maintainers is relatively sparce despite being used for decades after the premature loss of primary molars. This study aims to increase the dental evidence base via investigating retrospectively the success rates of prefabricated fixed and removable space maintainers inserted from 2019 to 2021 and followed up until February 2023 at a specialized university clinic and to identify reasons for any reported minor and major failure. The authors hypothesized that there is no significant difference in failure rates between fixed and removable space maintainers inserted after the premature loss of a single primary molar per quadrant. Method and materials: Patients' digital records were searched yielding 645 space maintainers. After the application of inclusion criteria, 157 (67%) fixed prefabricated space maintainers in 112 children and 77 (33%) removable space maintainers in 61 children were analyzed for an average of 18.4 ± 9.5 months. Results: Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with Mantel-Cox statistics showed an overall cumulative survival time of 31.6 months (SE = 1.15, 95% CI = 29.4 to 33.9). Major failure occurred significantly more in removable maintainers (n = 40/67, 59.7%), mostly due to loss of the appliance, compared to fixed space maintainers (n = 27/67, 40.3%; P < .001). The present study indicates that space maintainers were mainly placed in young children with high caries experience, where treatment was mostly possible using advanced behavior management. Conclusions: Fixed space maintainers had a significantly lower failure rate than their removable counterpart. However, both require continual repairs, preservation, or even replacement till the eruption of the permanent tooth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To retrospectively determine the cumulative survival rate (CSR) and marginal bone level change (ΔMBL) around novel hybrid design tissue-level (TL) dental implants that support multiple-screw-retained restorations. Materials and Methods: Implant CSRs were analyzed at the implant and patient level using Kaplan-Meier estimates. ΔMBL was measured by comparing the periapical loading and follow-up visit radiographs using an improved standardized digital methodology based on image gray levels. ΔMBL outcomes were subject to linear mixed regression to identify potential risk factors. Results: A total of 301 TL implants in 69 patients with an average age of 62.6 ± 11.7 years (range: 36 to 87 years) at the time of implant placement were considered for the analysis. All 301 implants were successfully restored and loaded. The 54-month CSRs at the implant and patient levels were 98.9% (95% CI: 96.7 to 99.6) and 95.3% (95% CI: 86.1 to 98.5), respectively. ΔMBL after a mean follow-up of 22 ± 10.7 months after loading was 0.00 ± 0.57 mm. None of the implant sites showed marginal bone loss exceeding 1.5 mm. Multivariate regression analysis revealed a significant association between ΔMBL and the loading protocol (P = .027) but not between ΔMBL and age or transgingival height. Conclusions: The high CSRs and stable peri-implant marginal bone levels support the use of recent TL implants, which have a hybrid design inherited from the bone-level implant-abutment connection, as a suitable treatment option for restoring partially or fully edentulous patients with a good mid-term prognosis. These results should be complemented by further prospective studies in a real-world multicenter private practice setup that represents the daily realities of implant treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To report the prevalence of early implant failure and evaluate factors that contribute to the early failure of dental implants placed at a teaching clinic. The study also aims to identify risk indicators for early implant loss to better predict and prevent early implant loss in the future. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included all patients with a dental implant placed by the Section of Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine, Department of Clinical Dentistry, University of Bergen, between January 2011 and December 2018. All information was collected from operation logbooks and from patient records. A failed implant in this study was defined as an implant lost before functional loading. Results: A total of 1,005 dental implants were placed in the studied time period, of which 54 failed early, giving an early failure rate (EFR) of 5.4%, with functional loading obtained for the remaining 94.6%. Analysis showed an increased hazard for early implant failure among smokers, men, and younger patients. With an age increase of 10 years, the risk of implant failure was reduced by 14% (hazard ratio [HRR] = 0.86, P = .037). A higher failure rate was found in anterior maxillary implants than in posterior maxillary implants (7.79% vs 3.29%, respectively; HRR = 0.47; P = .041). The probability for early failure in the posterior mandible was significantly increased compared to the posterior maxilla (HRR = 3.68, P = .005). If the first implant failed, it was more likely that the consecutive implant would also fail (HRR = 1.82). In the study, 53.4% of the placed implants were Straumann (EFR = 5.2%), 30.3% were Nobel Biocare (EFR = 7.2%), and 16.3% were Astra Tech (EFR = 2.5%). Conclusions: This study found that younger, male, and smoker patients were associated with an increase in early failure of dental implants. Significantly increased failure rates were also seen for implants placed in the mandible, and there were differences with respect to implant system. Although differences were found in early failure both for patient- and implant-related factors, the overall early failure rate (5.4%) in this study was low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Although minimally and noninvasive caries management are advocated in pediatric dentistry, extensive caries progression often requires endodontic treatment followed by crowning of the tooth. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the success of esthetic preformed zirconia crowns (PZCs) compared to the standard preformed metal crowns (PMCs) after pulpotomy in primary molars retrospectively. Method and materials: Patients' digital records in a specialized pediatric clinic in Germany were analyzed to include 2- to 9-year-olds, who had received one or more PMCs or PZCs after a pulpotomy between 2016 and 2020. The main outcomes were success, minorfailure (restoration loss, wear, or fracture), or major failure (need for extraction or pulpectomy). Results: In total, 151 patients with 249 teeth (PMC, n = 149; PZC, n = 100) were included. The mean follow-up time was (19.9 months), with 90.4% of the crowns fol-lowed for at least 18 months. The majority of the crowns were considered successful (94.4%). The differences in the success rates between PMCs (96%) and PZCs (92%) did not reach the level of statistical significance (P = .182). All minor failures (1.6%) were in the PZC group and located in the maxilla. Independent of crown type, especially first primary molars were prone to failure (7.9%; second primary molars, 3.3%). Conclusion: PMCs and PZCs both show high clinical success rates as restorations of primary teeth after a pulpotomy. However, there was a tendency of greater minor or major failure in the PZC group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In multicentric studies, data sharing between institutions might negatively impact patient privacy or data security. An alternative is federated analysis by secure multiparty computation. This pilot study demonstrates an architecture and implementation addressing both technical challenges and legal difficulties in the particularly demanding setting of clinical research on cancer patients within the strict European regulation on patient privacy and data protection: 24 patients from LMU University Hospital in Munich, Germany, and 24 patients from Policlinico Universitario Fondazione Agostino Gemelli, Rome, Italy, were treated for adrenal gland metastasis with typically 40 Gy in 3 or 5 fractions of online-adaptive radiotherapy guided by real-time MR. High local control (21% complete remission, 27% partial remission, 40% stable disease) and low toxicity (73% reporting no toxicity) were observed. Median overall survival was 19 months. Federated analysis was found to improve clinical science through privacy-friendly evaluation of patient data in the European health data space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Currently, the indications for pulpectomy of primary molars performed under dental general anesthesia vary across countries. Therefore, we retrospectively investigated the five-year survival rate of primary molars following pulpectomy performed under dental general anesthesia and the impact of this treatment on permanent successors, assessed the risk factors related to overall survival and clarified the indications for pulpectomy. Methods: The medical records of children receiving pulpectomy of primary molars under dental general anesthesia from August 1, 2013, to November 30, 2023, were reviewed. Potential risk factors, including gender, age, general health, tooth type, tooth location, endodontic diagnosis and quality of root filling, were assessed via univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models, and the survival rate was examined via the Kaplan‒Meier technique. Moreover, the rate of resorption of the root canal filling materials, degree of resorption of the overfilled/over-extended root canal filling materials and development of permanent successors were assessed by clinical and radiographic examination. Results: The study included 320 teeth from 161 children (86 boys and 75 girls). The overall five-year survival rate was 38.2%, and the mean overall survival time was 54.2 months. Endodontic diagnosis was considered a significant risk factor (P < 0.05). In the first, second and third years, 57.4%, 81.8%, and 94.8%, respectively, of obturation materials in the root canals were resorbed at a faster rate than the roots. There was an altered eruption direction in 7 permanent teeth, and 4 permanent teeth were diagnosed with enamel hypoplasia. Conclusions: In this study, the 60-month survival rate of primary molars treated by pulpectomy under dental general anesthesia was 38.32%. Operators should have an accurate assessment of the status of the pulp, have a strict grasp of the preoperative indications and select the appropriate treatment method according to the guidelines. Individual cases suggest overfilling, overextension and periapical periodontitis in primary molars have an impact on enamel hypoplasia and altered eruption direction in permanent teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (pECMO) has become the first-line device in refractory cardiogenic shock (rCS). Some pECMO complications can preclude any bridging strategies and a peripheral-to-central ECMO (cECMO) switch can be considered as a bridge-to-decision. We conducted this study to appraise the in-hospital survival and the bridging strategies in patients undergoing peripheral-to-central ECMO switch. Methods: This retrospective monocenter study included patients admitted to a ECMO-dedicated intensive care unit from February 2006 to January 2023. Patients with rCS requiring pECMO switched to cECMO were included. Patients were not included when the cECMO was the first mechanical circulatory support. Results: Eighty patients, with a median [IQR25-75] age of 44 [29–53] years at admission and a female-to-male sex ratio of 0.6 were included in the study. Refractory pulmonary edema was the main switching reason. Thirty patients (38%) were successfully bridged to: heart transplantation (n = 16/80, 20%), recovery (n = 10/80, 12%) and ventricle assist device (VAD, n = 4/30, 5%) while the others died on cECMO (n = 50/80, 62%). The most frequent complications were the need for renal replacement therapy (76%), hemothorax or tamponade (48%), need for surgical revision (34%), mediastinitis (28%), and stroke (28%). The in-hospital and one-year survival rates were 31% and 27% respectively. Myocardial infarction as the cause of the rCS was the only variable independently associated with in-hospital mortality (HR 2.5 [1.3–4.9], p = 0.009). Conclusions: The switch from a failing pECMO support to a cECMO as a bridge-to-decision is a possible strategy for a very selected population of young patients with a realistic chance of heart function recovery or heart transplantation. In this setting, cECMO allows patients triage preventing from wasting expensive and limited resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous solid organ transplantation has been associated with worse survival among colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. This study investigates the contribution of CRC characteristics and treatment-related factors to the differential survival. Using the Swedish register-linkage CRCBaSe, all patients with solid organ transplantation before CRC diagnosis were identified and matched with non-transplanted CRC patients. Associations between transplantation history and clinical CRC factors and survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier estimator and logistic, multinomial, and Cox regression, respectively. Ninety-eight transplanted and 474 non-transplanted CRC patients were followed for 5 years after diagnosis. Among patients with stage I-III cancer, transplanted patients had lower odds of treatment with abdominal surgery [odds ratio (OR):0.27, 95% confidence interval (CI):0.08-0.90], than non-transplanted patients. Among those treated with surgery, transplanted colon cancer patients had lower odds of receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (OR:0.31, 95% CI:0.11-0.85), and transplanted rectal cancer patients had higher rate of relapse (hazard ratio:9.60, 95% CI:1.84-50.1), than non-transplanted patients. Five-year cancer-specific and overall survival was 56% and 35% among transplanted CRC patients, and 68% and 57% among non-transplanted. Accordingly, transplanted CRC patients were treated less intensely than non-transplanted patients, and had worse cancer-specific and overall survival. These patients might benefit from multidisciplinary evaluation including transplantation specialists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite their dangerous side effects, opioid drugs remain a standard of care for moderate to severe pain with few alternatives. Strategies to maintain the analgesic effects of opioids while minimizing the associated risks are needed. Pre-clinical studies have shown using a dopamine 3 receptor (D3R) agonist as an adjuvant to morphine provides superior analgesia against painful stimuli compared to morphine alone. Our objective was to test if adjunct treatment with a D3R agonist can lead to a reduction in opioid use while maintaining effective analgesia. Patients and methods: This study was set up as a double-blinded, placebocontrolled randomized trial. Enrollment included acute renal colic patients presenting to the emergency department, from which patients were randomized to either the "control" or "study arm". The control group received standard treatment of care (morphine, 0.1 mg/kg; i.v.) and an oral placebo pill. The experimental group received half-dosed morphine and oral pramipexole pill (0.25 mg). Pain measurements including a numerical pain scale and visual analog scale were collected from enrollees at baseline and every subsequent 15 min. Results: A total of 19 patients completed the study, 10 in the experimental arm and 9 in the control arm. During the study period, effective analgesia (50% decrease from baseline) was achieved in 80% of patients in the experimental arm vs. 33.3% in the control arm. Conclusion: Our pilot clinical trial demonstrated that D3R recruitment can serve as an effective adjuvant to low-dose morphine for control of renal colic pain and potentially other acute pain conditions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Management of patients with long‐standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF) presents a clinical challenge. Hybrid convergent ablation has been shown to have superior efficacy compared to endocardial‐only ablation. However, data on concomitant left atrial appendage (LAA) management along with hybrid ablation is sparse. Methods: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of concomitant hybrid convergent ablation and LAA clipping in patients with LSPAF. We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients with LSPAF who underwent hybrid surgical ablation with LAA clipping at our institution. The primary endpoint was a recurrence of atrial arrhythmias at 12 months. Further, the durability of surgical left atrial posterior wall ablation was examined during the endocardial catheter ablation using standing electrophysiological criteria. Results: A total of 79 patients were included. Mean age was 63.5 ± 9.6 years, and 71% were males. LAA clipping was performed in 99% of patients. The mean time between the surgical and endocardial stages of the procedure was 2.6 ± 1.7 months. Persistent posterior wall activity was observed in 34.2% (n = 27/79) patients during the endocardial phase of the procedure. Cardiac implantable electronic device was used in 74% of patients for monitoring of recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF). The primary effectiveness of AF freedom at 12 months was 73.8% (45/61). Over a 12‐month follow‐up period, 11.4% (9/79) of patients required repeat catheter ablation, of which 88.9% (8/9) had evidence of persistent posterior wall activity. Conclusion: Concomitant hybrid convergent ablation and LAA exclusion with an atrial clip provides reasonable long‐term AF‐free survival in patients with LSPAF. Persistent posterior wall activity is seen commonly in patients presenting with recurrent AF following hybrid convergent AF ablation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the occurrence, type and correlation of early and late atrial arrhythmias following mitral valve repair in patients with no preoperative history of atrial arrhythmias. Methods: Patients undergoing mitral valve (MV) repair for degenerative disease were included. Early and late postoperative electrocardiograms were evaluated for the incidence and type of atrial arrhythmia (atrial fibrillation [AF] or atrial tachycardia [AT]). Results: The 192 patients were included. Early atrial arrhythmias occurred in 100/192 (52.1%) patients; AF in 61 (31.8%) patients, early AT in 15 (7.8%) and both in 24 (12.5%). In total 89% of patients were discharged in sinus rhythm. During a follow‐up time of 7.3 years, 14 patients (7.3%) died and 49 (25.5%) patients developed late atrial arrhythmias. At 10 years, the cumulative incidence of any late atrial arrhythmia, with death as competing risk, was 64% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 55%–72%). On Fine‐Gray model analysis, only early postoperative AF lasting >24 h was related to the development of late AF (hazard ratio 5.99, 95% CI = 1.78%–20.10%, p =.004). Early postoperative ATs were related to the development of late tachycardias, independent of their duration (<24 h hazard ratio 4.25, 95% CI = 1.89–9.57, p =.001 and >24 h hazard ratio 3.51, 95% CI = 1.65–7.46, p =.001). Conclusions: Early and late atrial arrhythmias were common after MV repair surgery. Only early postoperative AF lasting >24 h was a risk factor for the occurrence of late AF. Conversely, any postoperative AT was correlated to the development of late ATs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to determine the role of c‐Fos in growth and invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to assess c‐Fos expression in 94 OSCC tissues and 30 adjacent normal tissues, the correlation between c‐Fos expression and clinicopathological characteristics was examined, and Kaplan–Meier and Cox analysis were used to investigate the role of c‐Fos in predicting the prognosis of OSCC patients. The effects of c‐Fos on the growth and invasion of OSCC were disclosed by overexpression and knockdown of c‐Fos. Furthermore, based on bioinformatics prediction, the effect of miR‐155‐5p on c‐Fos expression was examined, and dual‐luciferase reporter assay system was used to determine whether miR‐155‐5p regulated the transcriptional activity of c‐Fos in OSCC. Results: c‐Fos was markedly increased in OSCC tissues and cells. c‐Fos upregulation indicates a poor prognosis in OSCC patients, and c‐Fos promotes cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in OSCC. miR‐155‐5p could regulate the expression and the transcriptional activity of c‐Fos by directly targeting the c‐Fos 3′‐UTR. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that c‐Fos contributed to the progression of OSCC and may act as a potential target for OSCC therapy, and a potential prognostic biomarker of OSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the impact of vertebral fracture (VF) on long-term mortality of patients with COVID-19. Methods: In this single-center retrospective study, patients with COVID-19 who were admitted during the first wave of the pandemic and who had undergone a thorax computerized tomography scan were consecutively included. Patients with VFs due to trauma or malignancy were excluded. A Multivariate Cox proportional hazard model was used for survival analyses. Results: Of the 349 patients, 249 (71.3%) had at least one VF. Patients with VF were older (55.3 ± 15 vs. 43.4 ± 13.3, P < .001) and had higher rates of diabetes mellitus (19.7% vs. 11%), hypertension (34.1% vs. 17%), dyslipidemia (11.6% vs. 4%), cardiovascular disease (15.3% vs. 6.1%), and acute kidney injury (23.5% vs. 13%) (P < .05 for all). The mean survival was lower in patients with VF (1285.6 days, SE: 24.3, 95% CI [1238-1333]) compared to patients without VF (1388.6 days, SE: 16.3, 95% CI [1356-1420]) (P = .024). The mean survival was particularly decreased in patients with moderate-severe (1168 days, P = .001) or multiple VFs (1276 days, P = .016). The association between VF and mortality was adjusted for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular and renal failure. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard model showed that malignancy, renal failure, and VFs were independent predictors of decreased survival. Conclusion: Vertebral fractures were found to be one of the most common comorbidities in patients with COVID-19. It also represents a potential marker of frailty and an important predictor of decreased survival. Vertebral fractures should be considered in all patients who have had COVID-19. The causal link between VFs and mortality requires large-scale prospective research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to investigate the influence of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination on hospital outcomes among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A total of 324 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 were evaluated retrospectively. Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients were matched 1:1 by the propensity score matching method to individuals without diabetes for age and gender. After matching, we analyzed 70 patients with T2DM and 70 without diabetes. Results: Individuals with T2DM exhibited a slightly higher vaccination rate than those without diabetes (67.1% vs. 54.3%, P = .119). Regardless of diabetes status, vaccinated participants experienced significantly lower rates of intensive care unit (ICU) admission (T2DM: 14.9% vs. 60.9%, P = .001; nondiabetics: 5.3% vs. 37.5%, P = .001) and fatality (T2DM: 2.1% vs. 60.9%, P = .001; non-diabetics: 0% vs. 46.9%, P = .001) compared to the unvaccinated group. The length of hospitalization and ICU admission rate were insignificantly higher in vaccinated individuals with T2DM than those without diabetes (9.0 days vs. 7.0 days, P = .154; 14.9% vs. 5.3%, P = .179). Multivariate logistic regression in T2DM patients revealed that CoronaVac vaccination significantly reduced ICU admission (OR: 0.089, 95% CI 0.022-0.360, P = .001), while male gender increased the risk (OR: 6.59, 95% CI 1.545-28.11, P = .011). Conclusion: In vaccinated individuals with T2DM, the risk of severe COVID-19 and fatality significantly decreased, similar to individuals without diabetes. This protection is not affected by vaccine type, vaccination count, or age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transcervical mediastinoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal and esophagogastric junction cancer is indicated in select institutions because of the complex surgical technique required and the unfamiliar surgical view compared with the standard transthoracic esophagectomy approach. This study was performed to compare the feasibility and efficacy of bilateral transcervical mediastinoscopic-assisted transhiatal laparoscopic esophagectomy (BTC-MATLE) with thoracolaparoscopic esophagectomy (TLE) for esophageal cancer. Methods: This study involved 392 consecutive patients with esophageal cancer who underwent curative minimally invasive esophagectomy with R0 resection (excluding salvage, conversion, and two-stage operations and open thoracotomy) at the National Cancer Center Hospital from 2017 to 2022. The patients underwent either BTC-MATLE or TE (32 and 360 consecutive patients, respectively). Propensity score-matching analysis was used to balance the baseline differences by covariates of age, performance status, and clinical stage. Results: There were statistically significant differences in age, performance status, cT factor, cN factor, cStage, preoperative treatment, and surgical history for respiratory disease. After propensity score-matching, these significant differences (excluding a surgical history of respiratory disease) were no longer statistically significant, and 27 patients were assigned to each group. The total operation time and the postoperative intensive care unit stay were significantly shorter in the BTC-MATLE than TLE group. There were no significant differences in overall postoperative complications or the three major postoperative complications of recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis, anastomotic leakage, and pneumonia, even for patients whose preoperative pulmonary function indices (vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s) were significantly lower in the BTC-MATLE than TLE group. The numbers of total and thoracic harvested lymph nodes were significantly higher in the TLE than BTC-MATLE group; however, there was no significant difference in the recurrence rate between the two groups. Conclusion: BTC-MATLE may provide the same feasibility and oncological outcomes as TLE even for patients with significantly lower pulmonary function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Surgical standardization for transverse colon cancers (TCC) has not been established, and the oncologic benefit of central vessel ligation (CVL) are still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the oncologic safety of TCC surgery without CVL of the middle colic artery (MCA). Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective, observational, comparative study. The clinical, surgical, and pathological characteristics of the patients who underwent radical surgery for non-metastatic TCC between January 2012 and December 2020 were investigated, and the characteristic and oncologic outcomes of No CVL and CVL groups were compared. Results: The number of No CVL and CVL groups was 47 (44.3%) and 59 (55.7%), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in surgical complications, stage, mean number of retrieved lymph nodes (LN) (24.12 vs. 22.36 p = 0.464), mean number of metastatic LN (1.53 vs. 0.74, p = 0.163), mean proximal margin (19.2 cm vs. 16.7 cm, p = 0.139), mean distal margin (9.6 cm vs. 9.9 cm, p = 0.753), adjuvant chemotherapy, total recurrence rate (6.4 vs. 11.9%, p = 0.507), lymphatic recurrence rate (0.0% vs. 5.1%, p = 0.253), and local recurrence rate (2.1 vs. 1.7%, p = 0.984). Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference of 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in stage II (DFS: 94.4 vs. 91.3%, p = 0.685, OS: 94.1 vs. 95.5%, p = 0.838) and stage III (DFS: 88.5 vs. 68.4%, p = 0.253, OS: 100.0% vs. 79.7, p = 0.328). Conclusion: TCC surgery without CVL of the MCA showed comparable surgical and oncologic outcomes compared to surgery with CVL. Therefore, preservation of a branch of the MCA may be considered a safe option, when combined with adequate lymph node dissection, if necessary. A large, prospective, and controlled study will be necessary to provide solid evidence of the oncologic safety of this procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to investigate the laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) performance of non-Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System (ESSQS)-qualified surgeons under the ESSQS-qualified surgeon guidance and compare oncological outcomes of gastric cancer to LG performed by the ESSQS-qualified surgeons. Methods: This study enrolled 1,030 patients diagnosed with both clinical and pathological stage ≤ III gastric cancer and undergoing LG from January 2009 to June 2019. ESSQS-qualified surgeons served as the operator or the instructive assistant in all LG procedures involving them. A propensity score-matched analysis was used to retrospectively compare the long-term outcomes between the ESSQS-qualified and non-ESSQS-qualified surgeons. Results: Each group included 315 pairs after propensity score matching. The 3-year recurrence-free survival rates were 84.4% and 81.7% in the non-ESSQS and ESSQS groups, respectively. The difference was 2.7% (95% confidence interval: − 3.20%–8.44%, P < 0.001), and the non-ESSQS group statistically demonstrated noninferiority as the lower 95% confidence limit was greater than the prespecified margin of -10%, indicating the achieved primary endpoint. No significant differences in 5-year recurrence-free survival (non-ESSQS: 78.5% vs. ESSQS: 77.4%, P = 0.627) and 5-year overall survival (non-ESSQS: 80.9% vs. ESSQS: 79.3%, P = 0.475) were found between the two groups. The oncological outcomes stratified according to the presence of pathological stage I, II, and III disease did not significantly differ between the two groups. Conclusions: LG performed by non-ESSQS-qualified surgeons achieved comparable oncological outcomes to the ESSQS-qualified surgeons, as long as ESSQS-qualified surgeons provided intraoperative instructions, in a high-volume center. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The effect of tumor budding (TB) on the prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) remains unclear. We evaluated the long-term outcomes of patients with superficial ESCC after ESD and the risk factors of TB for the long-term prognosis. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in a Chinese hospital. All patients with ESCC treated by ESD and reported TB were included consecutively. Comparative analyses were conducted in three parts: specimen analysis, follow-up analyses of unmatched patients, and propensity score-matched (PSM) patients. Cox proportional hazard regression models were constructed to identify risk factors for overall survival and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Results: A total of 437 patients were enrolled [154 TB and 283 no tumor budding (NTB)], and 258 patients (52 TB and 206 NTB) were included in the follow-up analysis. Results showed that the invasion depth, differentiation type, and positive vascular invasion (all p < 0.001) of the TB group were significantly different from the NTB group. The all-cause mortality and the median RFS time between the two groups were comparable. RFS rate at 5 years were 84.6% and 80.6%, respectively (p = 0.43). Cox analyses identified that having other cancers but not TB, as a risk factor independently associated with overall survival and RFS after ESD. Conclusion: TB tends to be associated with invasion depth, differentiation type, and positive vascular invasion. However, it might not affect the long-term outcomes of patients with superficial ESCC after ESD when other high-risk factors are negative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Textbook outcome (TO) is widely recognized as a comprehensive prognostic indication for patients with gastric cancer (GC). This study aims to develop a modified TO (mTO) for elderly patients with GC. Methods: Data from the elderly patients (aged ≥ 65 years) in two Chinese tertiary referral hospitals were analyzed. 1389 patients from Fujian Medical University Union Hospital were assigned as the training cohort and 185 patients from Affiliated Hospital of Putian University as the validation cohort. Nomogram was developed by the independent prognostic factors of Overall Survival (OS) based on Cox regression. Results: In the training cohort, laparoscopic surgery was significantly correlated with higher TO rate (P < 0.05). Cox regression analysis revealed that surgical approach was also an independent factor of OS (P < 0.001), distinct from the traditional TO. In light of these findings, TO parameters were enhanced by the inclusion of surgical approach, rendering a modified TO (mTO). Further analysis showed that mTO, tumor size, pTNM staging, and adjuvant chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors associated with OS (all P < 0.05). Additionally, the nomogram incorporating these four indicators accurately predicted 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS in the training cohort, with AUC values of 0.793, 0.814, and 0.807, respectively, and exhibited outstanding predictive performance within the validation cohort. Conclusion: mTO holds a robust association with the prognosis of elderly patients with GC, meriting intensified attention in efforts aimed at enhancing surgical quality. Furthermore, the predictive model incorporating mTO demonstrates excellent predictive performance for elderly patients with GC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Surgical treatments of refractory gastroparesis include pyloromyotomy and gastric electrical stimulator (GES). It is unclear if patients may benefit from a combined approach with concomitant GES and pyloromyotomy. Methods: Retrospective cohort analysis of all patients with refractory gastroparesis treated with GES implantation with and without concomitant pyloromyotomy at Cleveland Clinic Florida from January 2003 to January 2023. Primary endpoint was efficacy (clinical response duration and success rate) and secondary endpoints included safety (postoperative morbidity) and length of stay. Success rate was defined as the absence of one of the following reinterventions during follow-up: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), pyloromyotomy, GES removal. Results: During a period of 20 years, 134 patients were treated with GES implantation. Three patients with history of previous surgical pyloromyotomy or RYGB were excluded from the analysis. Median follow-up was 31 months (IQR 10, 72). Forty patients (30.5%) had GES with pyloromyotomy, whereas 91 (69.5%) did not have pyloromyotomy. Most of the patients had idiopathic (n = 68, 51.9%) or diabetic (n = 58, 43.3%) gastroparesis. Except for preoperative use of opioids (47.5 vs 14.3%; p < 0.001), patient's characteristics were similar in both groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of overall postoperative complications (17.5% vs 14.3%; p = 0.610), major postoperative complications (0% vs 2.2%; p = 1), and length of stay (2(IQR 1, 2) vs 2(IQR 1, 3) days; p = 0.068). At 5 years, success rate was higher in patients with than without pyloromyotomy however not statistically significant (82% versus 62%, p = 0.066). Especially patients with diabetic gastroparesis seemed to benefit from pyloromyotomy during GES (100% versus 67%, p = 0.053). In an adjusted Cox regression, GES implantation without pyloromyotomy was associated with a 2.66 times higher risk of treatment failure compared to GES implantation with pyloromyotomy (HR 2.66, 95% CI 1.03–6.94, p = 0.044). Conclusion: Pyloromyotomy during GES implantation for gastroparesis seems to be associated with a longer clinical response with similar postoperative morbidity and length of hospital stay than GES without pyloromyotomy. Patient with diabetic gastroparesis might benefit from a combination of GES implantation and pyloromyotomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Difficulties in distinguishing fibrosis from tumor in borderline and locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) justify surgical exploration to assess resectability. This issue is especially relevant after neoadjuvant treatments (NAT) prior to pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) although outcomes of aborted PD are unknown. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate early outcomes after aborted PD in patients with PDAC. Methods: Data were collected over a ten-year period, in three University Hospitals in France. Perioperative patient management was similar. The causes of intraoperative PD abortions were recorded, and outcomes of patients who underwent early (metastases, carcinomatosis) and late (following extensive vascular dissection) PD abortion were compared. Results: Of 774 PD for PDAC, 131 (17%) were aborted. 97 (74%) patients underwent early PD abortion due to carcinomatosis (n = 14; 14%), liver metastases (n = 32; 33%), aortocaval lymph node invasion (n = 28; 29%) and massive vascular extension (n = 23; 24%). Late PD abortion occurred after extensive vascular dissection in 34 (26%) patients due to invasion of the common hepatic (n = 16; 47%), superior mesenteric (n = 5; 15%) and right hepatic (n = 1; 3%) arteries and nonreconstructable venous invasion (n = 12; 35%). Patients who underwent late PD abortion had higher rates of overall morbidity (n = 22; 65% vs n = 27; 28%, p = 0.0001), severe complications (n = 14; 41% vs n = 11; 11%, p = 0.0005), mortality (n = 4; 12% vs n = 0; 0%, p = 0.003). They also had higher rates of delayed gastric emptying (n = 11; 32% vs n = 6; 6%, p = 0.0003), deep space infections (n = 10; 29% vs n = 7; 7%, p = 0.002), wound infections (n = 5; 15% vs n = 4; 4%, p = 0.05), and bleeding (n = 8; 24% vs n = 0; 0%, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Aborted PD after extensive vascular dissection has high morbidity and mortality rates. Appropriate information and counseling should be delivered to patients with borderline/locally advanced PDAC considered for PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To define the incidence and independent predictive factors of intraoperative adverse events (IOAEs) after minimally invasive radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy (RNAT) and to determine the impact of intraoperative adverse events on oncological outcomes. Patients and methods: A total of 294 patients underwent minimally invasive RNAT from January 2010 to December 2023 in our center were included. IOAEs are defined as any deviation from the normal surgical procedure during the operation course. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent predictive factors of IOAEs. The Kaplan–Meier curves was used to compare overall survival and cancer-specific survival between patients with IOAEs or not. Results: Seventy-four IOAEs occurred in 57 of 294 patients (19.4%) and the most frequent IOAEs were conversion to open surgery (42/74, 56.7%), followed by excessive hemorrhage (20/74, 27.0%). In multivariate logistic analysis, side (OR 0.0929; 95%Cl 0.0367–0.2160; p < 0.001), operation approach (OR 0.1762; 95%Cl 0.06828–0.4109; p < 0.001), and Mayo grade (OR 6.321; 95%Cl 3.846–11.13; p < 0.001) were independent predictive predictors of IOAEs during minimally invasive RNAT. IOAEs (OR 2.713; 95%Cl 1.242–5.897; p = 0.012) was an independent risk factor of the occurrence of postoperative complications. Between the patients with IOAEs or not, neither overall survival (OS) nor cancer-specific survival (CSS) showed statistical differences. Patients with postoperative complications show shorter OS and CSS. Conclusion: We found that the independent predictive factors of minimally invasive RNAT were side, operation approach and Mayo grade, and it is a risk factor of the occurrence of postoperative complications. In addition, the occurrence of IOAEs had no effect on long-term oncological outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this analysis was to investigate the impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) coinfection on the risk of HIV viral rebound (VR) after achieving suppression for the first time following initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the real‐world setting. Design: Patients living with HIV (PLWH) who were enrolled in the ICONA Foundation Study cohort and achieved viral suppression ≤50 copies/mL for the first time after starting ART were prospectively evaluated and divided in three exposure groups according to serology test results: (a) HIV‐monoinfected; (b) HIV‐positive/HBcAb‐positive/HBsAg‐negative; (c) HIV‐positive/HBsAg‐positive. The occurrence of VR, defined as two consecutive HIV‐RNA values >50 copies/mL after achieving viral suppression for the first time (baseline), was investigated. Methods: Standard survival analysis by means of Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox regression analysis with the serology exposure fitted as a time‐fixed covariate measured at baseline was employed after controlling for key confounding factors. Results: Of a total of 5657 patients included, 4090 (72%) were HIV‐monoinfected, 1342 (23.7%)were HBcAb‐positive, and 225 (3.9%) were HbsAg‐positive coinfected. Overall, 654 (11.5%) PLWH experienced VR > 50 copies/mL during follow‐up. After controlling for all sources of measured confounding, coinfected PLWH showed an increased risk of experiencing VR compared with those who were HIV‐monoinfected. In particular, the strongest associations were seen for the HIV/HBsAg‐positive participants [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 1.56, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03–2.38, p = 0.037] but an excess of risk was also seen in those who were HIV‐positive/HBcAb‐positive/HBsAg‐negative (aHR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.00–1.55, p = 0.047). Conclusions: Coinfection with HBV seems to have an impact on the probability of maintaining HIV viral suppression achieved for the first time after ART initiation. Of note, even PLWH positive for HBcAb, a marker of inactive HBV infection, appeared to be at higher risk of VR compared with those who were HIV‐monoinfected and their HIV‐RNA should be carefully monitored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It was reported that the cachexia index (CXI: ALB * SMI NLR ) was an essential index for predicting the prognosis of tumor patients. However, since for SMI needs to be measured by CT imaging methods and its calculation was inconvenient. Thus, we developed a modified cachexia index (mCXI: ALB NLR * UCR ). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between mCXI and prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer. Methods: An analysis of 215 patients with newly diagnosed colorectal cancer was carried out retrospectively. An optimal cut-off value of mCXI was established by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for predicting prognosis. Prognostic implications of mCXI were investigated using Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox regression analysis. A comparative assessment of the predictive capacity between mCXI and the CXI was performed using time-dependent receiver operating characteristic analysis. Results: Patients were classified into two groups based on the cut-off value of mCXI: the LOW mCXI group (n = 60) and the HIGH mCXI group (n = 155). The 3-year Overall survival (OS) (76.6% vs 96.7%, p < 0.01) and 3-year Recurrence-free survival (RFS) (68.3% vs 94.1%, p < 0.01) were significantly worse in the LOW mCXI group in contrast to that in the HIGH mCXI group. In Cox multivariate regression analysis, mCXI was an independent prognostic factor for OS (HR = 8.951, 95%CI: 3.105–25.807, <0.01). Moreover, compared with CXI (AUC = 0.723), mCXI (AUC = 0.801) has better predictive efficacy, indicating that mCXI is more suitable for prognostic assessment. Conclusions: The mCXI significantly correlated with survival outcomes for colorectal cancer patients after radical surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The effectiveness of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been well established. The differential impacts of drug-eluting bead TACE (DEB-TACE) as opposed to conventional TACE (cTACE) on vascular changes, such as arterial-portal venous shunts (APSs), have been recognized. However, their subsequent effects on treatment outcomes have not been fully explored. This study aims to identify risk factors associated with the occurrence of APS in HCC patients treated with DEB-TACE and to evaluate its impact on patient survival. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted from January 2012 to December 2018 including 74 HCC patients receiving DEB-TACE as initial treatment and a 1:1 cTACE. Kaplan-Meier analysis estimated overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Logistic regression identified significant risk factors for APS occurrence after DEB-TACE. Results: APS incidence was significantly higher after DEB-TACE than cTACE (46.0% vs. 16.2%, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in median OS between APS and non-APS groups after DEB-TACE: 50 months (24.6–75.4) versus 26.9 months (19.5–43.2), p = 0.111; median PFS was 15.6 months (4.1–27.1) and 9.5 months (6.8–12.1) for the two groups, respectively, p = 0.065. Risk factors for APS occurrence after DEB-TACE were more than two feeding arteries (OR: 7.25, 95% CI: 1.82–28.95, p = 0.005) and non-selective embolization (OR: 8.02, 95% CI: 2.30–27.95, p = 0.001). Conclusion: APS occurrence was higher in DEB-TACE-treated HCC patients, but it did not significantly affect OS and PFS. More than two feeding arteries and non-selective embolization were significant risk factors for APS occurrence after DEB-TACE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by cytopenia, marrow dysplasia and has a propensity to develop into acute myeloid leukemia. The disease progression is majorly affected by genetic defects. However, about 40–50% of patients with MDS present with a normal karyotype and develop different courses of disease. Hence, there remains a room to advance the biological understanding and find molecular prognostic markers for cytogenetically normal MDS. Methods: We performed a high-resolution CGH + SNP array along with next-generation sequencing (NGS) of 77 primary diagnosed MDS patients, and also they were clinically followed up. Results: Our study revealed 82 clinically significant genomic lesions (losses/gains) in 49% of MDS patients. CGH + SNP array reduced the proportion of normal karyotype by 30%. SNP array in combination with NGS confirmed the biallelic loss of function of the TP53 gene (2/6), which is a clinically relevant biomarker and new genetic-based MDS entity, i.e., MDS-biTP53, as per the new WHO classification 2022. Genomic region 2p22.3 presented with frequent lesions and also with a more hazard ratio (2.7, 95% CI: 0.37–21) when analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Conclusion: CGH + SNP array changed the cytogenetic and IPSS-R risk group in 18% and 13% of patients, respectively, with an improved prediction of prognosis. This study emphasizes the cytogenetic heterogeneity of MDS and highlights that abnormality with chromosome 2 may have a diagnostic and prognostic impact. Highlights: The study identified 82 different clinically significant CNVs including chromosomal aberrations in MDS. The transcriptome data revealed that CNVs majorly affect genes associated with biological functions such as transcriptions, cell cycle, and immunity. A high frequency of CNVs/loss of heterozygosity was identified at 2p22.3 chromosomal region and found to be associated with disease prognosis. Combination of SNP array with gene mutations successfully established a new genetic-based MDS entity, i.e., MDS-biTP53, in 33.3% of TP53-mutated patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Current guidelines highlight a paucity of evidence guiding optimal timing for non‐ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in high‐risk and non‐high‐risk cases. Aim: We assessed long‐term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in NSTEMI patients undergoing early (<24 h) versus delayed (>24 h) coronary angiography at 6 years. Secondary end‐points included all‐cause mortality and cumulative MACE outcomes. Methods: Baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes were assessed among 355 patients presenting to a tertiary regional hospital between 2017 and 2018. Cox proportional hazard models were generated for MACE and all‐cause mortality outcomes, adjusting for the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score, patient demographics, biomarkers and comorbidities. Results: Two hundred and seventy patients were included; 147 (54.4%) and 123 (45.6%) underwent early and delayed coronary angiography respectively. Median time to coronary angiography was 13.3 and 45.4 h respectively. At 6 years, 103 patients (38.1%) experienced MACE; 41 in the early group and 62 in the delayed group (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.23; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.50–3.31). After multivariable adjustment, the delayed group had higher rates of MACE (HR = 1.79; 95% CI = 1.19–2.70), all‐cause mortality (HR = 2.76; 95% CI = 1.36–5.63) and cumulative MACE (incidence rate ratio = 1.54; 95% CI = 1.12–2.11). Subgroup analysis of MACE outcomes in rural and weekend NSTEMI presentations was not significant between early and delayed coronary angiography (HR = 1.49; 95% CI = 0.83–2.62). Conclusion: Higher MACE rates in the delayed intervention group suggest further investigation is needed. Randomised control trials would be well suited to assess the role of early invasive intervention across all NSTEMI risk groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction : In this study, we aimed to evaluate and compare whether perioperative additional intravenous (IV) Iloprost therapy to percutaneous balloon angioplasty for peripheral arterial occlusive disease improves patency and reintervention. Methods : Between January 2018 and August 2020, 183 patients underwent Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with Drug-Eluting Balloons (DEB) for femoropopliteal lesions (TASC 2 A-C) due to claudication, and 161 patients (133 male, 28 female, mean age 63.65 ± 11.16 years, range 30-86 years) were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups as DEB+ Intravenous Iloprost administration and DEB alone. Primary patency, reintervention, bailout stenting, and survival rates were analyzed in this retrospective study. Results : Primary patency rate at 12 months (79 vs 57 patients, 89.7 vs 78%, p = 0.041) and assisted primary patency rate (81 vs 59 patients, 92 vs 80.8%, p = 0.035) were found to be higher and Bailout stent deployment was lower in DEB + Iloprost group (3 vs 9 patients, 3.4 vs 12.3% p = 0.031). The reinterventions rate at 12 months was also lower among the DEB + Iloprost group (9 vs 16 patients, 10.2 vs 21.9%, p = 0.041). Conclusion : The present study demonstrated that primary patency at 12 months and assisted primary patency rates, freedom from reintervention was significantly higher and bailout stenting was found to be significantly lower. We believe that perioperative Intravenous Iloprost therapy is beneficial for PTA and improves outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) is increasingly used for early-stage lung cancer, however the impact of dose to the heart and cardiac substructures remains largely unknown. The study investigated doses received by cardiac substructures in SABR patients and impact on survival. SSBROC is an Australian multi-centre phase II prospective study of SABR for stage I non-small cell lung cancer. Patients were treated between 2013 and 2019 across 9 centres. In this secondary analysis of the dataset, a previously published and locally developed open-source hybrid deep learning cardiac substructure automatic segmentation tool was deployed on the planning CTs of 117 trial patients. Physical doses to 18 cardiac structures and EQD2 converted doses (α/β = 3) were calculated. Endpoints evaluated include pericardial effusion and overall survival. Associations between cardiac doses and survival were analysed with the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models. Cardiac structures that received the highest physical mean doses were superior vena cava (22.5 Gy) and sinoatrial node (18.3 Gy). The highest physical maximum dose was received by the heart (51.7 Gy) and right atrium (45.3 Gy). Three patients developed grade 2, and one grade 3 pericardial effusion. The cohort receiving higher than median mean heart dose (MHD) had poorer survival compared to those who received below median MHD (p = 0.00004). On multivariable Cox analysis, male gender and maximum dose to ascending aorta were significant for worse survival. Patients treated with lung SABR may receive high doses to cardiac substructures. Dichotomising the patients according to median mean heart dose showed a clear difference in survival. On multivariable analyses gender and dose to ascending aorta were significant for survival, however cardiac substructure dosimetry and outcomes should be further explored in larger studies. • Eighteen cardiac structure automatic segmentation tool deployed on planning datasets. • Data from phase II multicentre trial of stereotactic lung radiotherapy. • Dichotomising patients according to mean heart dose showed a difference in survival. • Gender and maximum dose to ascending aorta were significant on multivariable analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) is a rare but highly aggressive cancer predominantly affecting children and adolescents. This study explores prognostic factors for pediatric and adolescent ARMS, using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Leveraging SEER data (2000-2019), we analyzed 277 cases. Employing Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards models, we identified significant prognostic factors. Gender distribution was nearly equal (56.0% boys, 44.0% girls), with the majority (70.8%) from the white ethnic group. Primary tumors were predominantly in extremities (37.2%). Distant metastases significantly increased mortality risk (hazard ratio [HR], 3.13; 95% CI: 2.14-4.58) and regional lymph node involvement raised mortality risk (HR, 1.36; 95% CI: 0.96-1.92). Chemotherapy-only treatment had higher mortality risk than chemoradiotherapy (HR, 1.16; 95% CI: 0.97-2.67). Conclusively, our study identifies distant metastases, regional lymph node involvement, and treatment modality as crucial predictors of overall survival in pediatric ARMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis to examine the association between hemoglobin (Hb) levels and refracture risk in elderly patients with osteoporotic fractures (OPFs). Our findings suggest a nonlinear relationship exists in females, and females with Hb levels below 10.7 g/dL may be at a higher risk of refracture. Introduction: Hematopoiesis and bone health have a reciprocal influence on each other. Nevertheless, there is a scarcity of in-depth research on the association between Hb levels and the occurrence of fractures. The present research aimed to investigate the correlation between Hb levels and the rate of refracture within 5 years among individuals with OPFs. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was undertaken between 2017 and 2022. The study included 1906 individuals who were inhabitants of Kunshan and were over 60 years old. These individuals had experienced an OPF between January 1, 2017, and July 27, 2022, resulting in their hospitalization. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to evaluate the risk of refracture within 5 years based on the Hb levels acquired during the admission examination, with consideration for sex differences. A nonlinear relationship was identified using smoothed curve fitting and threshold analysis. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to compare refracture rates between patients with low and high Hb levels. Results: Elderly female patients with OPFs and lower Hb levels exhibited a significantly higher risk of a 5-year refracture. Conversely, no significant associations were observed between the two variables in male patients. A nonlinear correlation was found between Hb levels and the probability of refracture in females, with a turning point identified at 10.7 g/dL of Hb levels. A strong negative association was observed with the five-year refracture rate when Hb levels fell below 10.7 g/dL (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.63; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.48 to 0.83; P-value = 0.0008). This finding suggests that for every 1 g/dL increase in Hb below 10.7 g/dL, the risk of refracture reduced by 37%. However, no statistically significant association was observed when Hb levels were above 10.7 g/dL. Conclusions: The findings demonstrated a significant negative correlation between Hb levels and the likelihood of refracture in elderly female patients with OPFs and suggested that elderly females with recent OPFs and Hb levels below 10.7 g/dL may be at a higher risk of refracture. Additionally, the Hb levels can serve as an indicator of bone fragility in elderly female patients with OPFs. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring Hb levels as a part of comprehensive management strategies to both assess skeletal health and prevent refractures in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent epidemiological data has shown a sharp increase in stimulant use among older adults, which is notable as older adults may be especially vulnerable to their cardiovascular effects. Results of recent studies have shown an increase in cardiovascular events among older adults using stimulants; however, little data exists comparing cardiovascular safety of these agents head-to-head. Objective: To determine if the incidence of serious cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction (MI), stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA), or arrhythmia, are different in patients taking amphetamine/dextroamphetamine compared with patients taking methylphenidate. Methods: Retrospective chart review of veterans 50 years and older at the Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS) who were first prescribed a stimulant between 2015 and 2021. The primary outcome was the difference in composite cardiovascular events between amphetamine/dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. Secondary outcomes were the composite cardiovascular endpoints compared individually (MI, stroke/TIA, or arrhythmia). Hazard ratios were calculated based off of a time-to-event analysis displayed using a Kaplan-Meier curve for primary and secondary outcomes. Results: 466 veterans were screened for inclusion, 30 were excluded, and 436 were included. There was no difference found in composite cardiovascular events between the 241 veterans in the amphetamine/dextroamphetamine group and the 195 veterans in the methylphenidate group with 12 (5%) vs 8 (4.1%) events respectively (P =.6635). There was also no difference in time-to-event analysis (P =.4966). Conclusion: In elderly veterans, there was no difference found in incidence of major cardiovascular events with the use of amphetamine/dextroamphetamine compared with methylphenidate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Evaluating the impact of vitamin K prophylaxis on cefoperazone-sulbactam-induced coagulopathy in critically ill patients. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial on critically ill adult patients treated with cefoperazone-sulbactam. Patients received systemic cefoperazone-sulbactam antibiotics of 1.5 to 2 g every 12 hours. Patients were randomized into 2 groups: the intervention group (Gp-I), who received a 10 mg intravenous dose of vitamin K every week until cefoperazone-sulbactam therapy ended, and the control group (Gp-C), who received only cefoperazone-sulbactam. Results: Our main finding was the significantly higher survival probability from coagulopathy in Gp-I than in Gp-C using the Kaplan-Myers curve (χ2 = 25.5, P <.001). The adjusted hazard ratios for coagulopathy obtained from the Cox regression analysis revealed that the intervention was significantly associated with a 99% reduction in the hazard of coagulopathy relative to Gp-C (HR = 0.01, P =.001). The Kaplan-Myers curve indicated a significantly higher survival probability from bleeding in Gp-I than in Gp-C (χ2 = 9, degree of freedom = 1, P =.005). Conclusion: In critically ill patients, intravenous prophylactic doses of vitamin K of 10 mg per week prevent cefoperazone-sulbactam-induced coagulopathy. Therefore, we recommend adding vitamin K supplementation to ICU protocols in Egypt for cefoperazone-sulbactam safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tuberous sclerosis (TSC)–associated kidney disease is a leading cause of mortality in adults with TSC. This study aimed to understand TSC features in children, particularly kidney involvement, to inform clinical care for this specific group. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all paediatric (< 19 years) TSC cases at a large tertiary paediatric nephrology centre. Relevant data were collected from patients' records, statistical analyses were performed to identify associations between variables, survival probabilities were estimated with Kaplan‒Meier curves, and log-rank tests were conducted to assess survival differences among genetic mutations. Results: A total of 182 children with TSC were included. Among the 145 children with available kidney imaging data, 78.6% (114/145) exhibited kidney lesions. Angiomyolipomas (AMLs) were significantly more prevalent in the TSC2 mutation group (p = 0.018). Children with TSC2 mutations generally had poorer lesion-free survival than those with TSC1 mutations, but this difference was only significant for AMLs (p = 0.030). The change in size of largest AMLs increased with age and doubled in children above 9 years; a similar pattern was observed when stratified by genetic mutation. In contrast, kidney cysts exhibited two peaks: one in children under 5 years (2.31 mm/year) and the second in children between 15–19 years (2.82 mm/year). Chronic kidney disease was observed in 12.3% (10/81) of children, and high-risk AMLs above 3 cm were observed in 9% (13/145). Conclusions: While TSC kidney disease emerges later in the disease course than neurological features, our findings emphasise the importance of kidney surveillance during childhood, including routine kidney imaging, kidney function, and blood pressure monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Levamisole is less expensive and has a better toxicity profile compared to other steroid sparing agents used in nephrotic syndrome. It has a plasma half-life of 2.0 to 5.6 hours, but is conventionally administered on alternate days. We aimed to assess whether daily levamisole is safe and more effective than standard alternate-day therapy in maintaining remission in children with frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (FR/SDNS). Methods: An open-label randomized controlled trial was conducted in children with FR/SDNS. Group A received daily while Group B received alternate-day levamisole (2–3 mg/kg/dose) for 12 months. Prednisolone was tapered off by 3 months. Patients were monitored for relapses, further steroid requirement, and adverse effects. Results: A total of 190 children with FR/SDNS (94 in Group A and 96 in Group B) were analyzed. Sustained remission for 12 months was observed in 36% of Group A and 27% of Group B patients (p = 0.18). Numbers completing 12 months in the study were 67% in Group A and 56% in Group B (p = 0.13). Time to first relapse, persistent FR/SDNS, and withdrawal due to poor compliance were statistically similar in both groups, while relapse rate and cumulative steroid dosage were significantly lower in Group A compared to Group B (p = 0.03 and p = 0.02, respectively). The incidence of adverse effects was comparable in both groups, with reversible leucopenia and hepatic transaminitis being the commonest. Conclusions: Daily levamisole therapy was not superior to alternate-day therapy in maintaining sustained remission over 12 months. Nevertheless, relapse rate and cumulative steroid dosage were significantly lower without increased adverse effects. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to evaluate the performance of Vitamin D/calcitriol-induced miR-589-3p in predicting the prognosis of cervical cancer patients and its role in cancer cell function. To identify differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) related to calcitriol treatment, the GSE61829 dataset was analyzed. MiR-589-3p expression levels were verified in cervical cancer patients. The association of miR-589-3p with overall survival was investigated using Kaplan-Meier survival analyses and the multi-variate Cox proportional hazards model analysis. The effects of miR-589-3p on cervical cancer cells and calcitriol-treated cells were examined using the MTT assay and Transwell migration/invasion assay. From GSE61829 dataset, a total of eleven DEMs were identified, including miR-589-3p. MiR-589-3p was found to be decreased in cervical cancer but increased after one-year intake of Vitamin D. Low miR-589-3p after one-year intake of Vitamin D was identified as a predictive factor for low survival probability (p = 0.0059) with a significant impact on the death risk (HR: 3.04; 95%CI: 1.47-6.29; p = 0.003). MiR-589-3p overexpression inhibited the proliferation and migration/invasion of cervical cancer cells and calcitriol-treated cervical cancer cells. In conclusion, miR-589-3p can be induced by Vitamin D/calcitriol treatment and inhibit cervical cancer progression. MiR-589-3p has the potential to predict overall survival in patients with cervical cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a unique diagnostic tool that assesses the functional capacity of the heart, lungs, and peripheral oxidative system in an integrated manner. However, the clinical utility of CPET for evaluating interstitial lung disease (ILD) remains uncertain. The objective of this study was to determine the predictive value of CPET for mortality in subjects with ILD. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled subjects with ILD who underwent CPET at a tertiary medical center in Taiwan and followed up their survival status for 12 months. Mortality prediction was based on comparing CPET parameters between subjects who survived and those who died. We further analyzed CPET parameters that showed significant differences using receiver operating characteristic curves to identify their optimal cutoff values. RESULTS: A total of 106 newly diagnosed subjects with ILD underwent CPET, and the 1-y mortality rate was 7.5%. Six CPET variables were found to be significant predictors of mortality: peak oxygen consumption, oxygen pulse, end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide, heart rate recovery 1 min after CPET, minute ventilation to carbon dioxide output slope, and functional aerobic impairment. We calculated a summed score by adding the number of CPET variables that exceeded their cutoff values. Subjects with a summed score of 6 had a 1-y survival rate of only 25%, whereas subjects with scores of 0-5 had a survival rate of 98%. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the summed score represents a useful tool for screening patients with ILD who can undergo a CPET to determine their prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Prone positioning (PP) has demonstrated its potential for improving outcomes in patients with ARDS who require invasive mechanical ventilation. However, the ability of prolonged proning to reduce mortality in patients with COVID-19 specifically, sessions lasting > 24 h remains uncertain. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we examined 158 subjects with COVID-19 pneumonia who required mechanical ventilation due to moderate-to-severe ARDS. Seventy-six subjects were placed in standard PP and 82 in extended PP, defined as prone sessions lasting at least 32 h. Our primary aim was to evaluate the effect of EPP on 90-d survival in subjects with COVID-19 with acute severe respiratory failure. To ensure the reliability of our findings and to minimize bias, we applied 3 adjustment approaches: cardinality matching (CM), matching weighting (MW), and inverse probability of treatment weighting with stabilized and trimmed weights (SW). We used Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard models to analyze the effects of EPP on 90-d mortality and sensitivity analysis by calculating E-values. RESULTS: The overall crude 90-d mortality rate was 31.7%. The unadjusted 90-d mortality rates were 19.5% in the EPP group and 44.7% in the SPP group (hazard ratio [HR] 0.35 [95% CI 0.19- 0.63], P < .001). After adjustment for confounding factors using CM, MW, and SW, baseline covariates were balanced between the 2 groups. Subjects in the EPP group exhibited lower 90-d mortality rates after adjustment using CM (HR 0.42 [95% CI 0.23-0.79], P = .007), MW (HR 0.45 [95% CI 0.21-0.95], P = .036), or SW (HR 0.29 [95% CI 0.15-0.56], P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Extended PP was associated with improved 90-d survival in subjects with COVID-19 undergoing mechanical ventilation for severe ARDS. These findings suggest the potential benefit of EPP in the management of COVID-19-related respiratory failure. Further research and prospective studies are warranted to confirm and elucidate the underlying mechanisms of this association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In survival analysis, it often happens that some individuals, referred to as cured individuals, never experience the event of interest. When analyzing time‐to‐event data with a cure fraction, it is crucial to check the assumption of "sufficient follow‐up," which means that the right extreme of the censoring time distribution is larger than that of the survival time distribution for the noncured individuals. However, the available methods to test this assumption are limited in the literature. In this article, we study the problem of testing whether follow‐up is sufficient for light‐tailed distributions and develop a simple novel test. The proposed test statistic compares an estimator of the noncure proportion under sufficient follow‐up to one without the assumption of sufficient follow‐up. A bootstrap procedure is employed to approximate the critical values of the test. We also carry out extensive simulations to evaluate the finite sample performance of the test and illustrate the practical use with applications to leukemia and breast cancer data sets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: Black and White women undergo screening mammography at similar rates, but racial disparities in breast cancer outcomes persist. To assess potential contributors, we investigated delays in follow-up after abnormal imaging by race/ethnicity. METHODS: Women who underwent screening mammography at our urban academic center from January 2015 to February 2018 and received a Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System 0 assessment were included. Kaplan-Meier estimates described distributions of time between diagnostic events from (1) screening to diagnostic imaging and (2) diagnostic imaging to biopsy. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated the associations between race/ethnicity and receipt of follow-up within 15 and 30 days. RESULTS: Two thousand five hundred and fifty-four women were included (48.6% non-Hispanic [NH] Black, 38.2% NH White, 13.1% other/unknown). Median time between screening and diagnostic imaging varied by race/ethnicity (White: 7 days [IQR, 2-14]; Black: 12 days [IQR, 7-23]; other/unknown: 9 days [IQR, 5-21]). There were similar disparities in days between diagnostic imaging and biopsy (White: 12 [IQR, 7-24]; Black: 21 [IQR, 13-37]; other/unknown: 16 [IQR, 9-30]) and between screening and biopsy (White: 20 [IQR, 11-41]; Black: 35 [IQR, 22-63]; other/unknown: 27.5 [IQR, 17-42]). After adjustment, odds of diagnostic imaging follow-up within 15 days of screening were lower for Black versus White women (odds ratio, 0.59 [95% CI, 0.44 to 0.80]; P <.001). CONCLUSION: In this diverse cohort, disparities in timely diagnostic follow-up after abnormal breast screening were observed, with Black women waiting 1.75 times as long as White women to obtain a tissue diagnosis. National guidelines for time to diagnostic follow-up may facilitate more timely breast cancer care and potentially affect outcomes. Despite getting screening mmgs at the same rates as White women, Black women were 40% less likely to get diagnostic mmgs w/in 15d of an abnl screen & it took them almost 2x as long to get a biopsy. Multi-level interventions to redress these #disparities are key. @DrLolaFayanju [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Delayed or stalled healing in open wounds can result from persisting chronic inflammation related to infection and/or persistent bacterial colonisation and biofilm. Treatment of hard-to-heal wounds focuses on debridement and exudate management, but also on infection prevention and control. Silver dressings have been evaluated in randomised clinical trials (RCTs); this meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of a silver ion-releasing foam dressing (Biatain Ag; Coloplast A/S, Denmark) to treat hard-to-heal wounds. Method: Literature databases (PubMed and Cochrane Library) were searched for studies on silver ion-releasing foam dressings in the treatment of hard-to-heal wounds. Individual patient data from four RCTs were obtained and included in the meta-analysis. Results: Findings showed that treatment with the silver ion-releasing foam dressing was associated with a significantly higher relative reduction in wound area after four (least squares-mean difference (LS-MD): -12.55%, 95% confidence interval (CI): (-15.95, -9.16); p<0.01) and six weeks of treatment (LS-MD: -11.94%, 95%CI: (-17.21, -6.68); p<0.01) compared with controls. Significant benefits were also observed for time to disappearance of odour (hazard ratio: 1.61, 95%CI: (1.31, 1.98); p<0.01), relative reduction of exudate (LS-MD: -5.15, 95%CI: (-7.36, -2.94); p<0.01), proportion of patients with periwound erythema (relative risk (RR): 0.81, 95%CI: (0.69; 0.94); p<0.01), and less pain at dressing removal (LS-MD: -0.35, 95%CI: (-0.63, -0.06); p=0.02). No differences regarding safety outcomes were identified. Conclusion: This meta-analysis has demonstrated beneficial outcomes and a good tolerability profile for silver ion-releasing foam dressings in the treatment of moderate-to-highly exuding wounds with delayed healing compared with control dressings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Even though cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) was once the standard of care for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), its role in treatment has not been well analyzed or defined in the era of immunotherapy (IO). Materials and Methods This study analyzed pathological outcomes in patients with advanced or metastatic RCC who received IO prior to CN. This was a multi-institutional, retrospective study of patients with advanced or metastatic RCC. Patients were required to receive IO monotherapy or combination therapy prior to radical or partial CN. The primary endpoint assessed surgical pathologic outcomes, including American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging and frequency of downstaging, at the time of surgery. Pathologic outcomes were correlated to clinical variables using a Wald-chi squared test from Cox regression in a multi-variable analysis. Secondary outcomes included objective response rate (ORR) defined by response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) version 1.1 and progression-free survival (PFS), which were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method with reported 95% CIs. Results Fifty-two patients from 9 sites were included. Most patients were male (65%), 81% had clear cell histology, 11% had sarcomatoid differentiation. Overall, 44% of patients experienced pathologic downstaging, and 13% had a complete pathologic response. The ORR immediately prior to nephrectomy was stable disease in 29% of patients, partial response in 63%, progressive disease in 4%, and 4% unknown. Median follow-up for the entire cohort was 25.3 months and median PFS was 3.5 years (95% CI, 2.1-4.9). Conclusions IO-based interventions prior to CN in patients with advanced or metastatic RCC demonstrates efficacy, with a small fraction of patients showing a complete response. Additional prospective studies are warranted to investigate the role of CN in the modern IO-era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Readmission is an important indicator of poor post-discharge management for psychiatric patients. This study explores the factors influencing psychiatric patient readmission, with a focus on post-discharge follow-up visits. Materials & Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed the clinical records of psychiatric inpatients over an eight-year period up to 2019. The relationship between various clinical factors during hospitalization (e.g., length of stay, diagnosis, treatment adherence) and post-discharge follow-up leading to readmission was assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, Log-rank test, and Cox regression analysis. Results: The study revealed a 23% readmission rate. Gender, education, length of hospital stay, number of previous hospitalizations, and restraint during hospitalization showed significant associations with post-discharge visits (P < 0.05). Gender, place of hospitalization, and type of discharge were related to the timing of the first post-discharge visit (P < 0.05). Scheduling follow-up visits at discharge was significantly associated with post-discharge follow-up (p = 0.001). Conclusion: To reduce or delay readmissions, the study recommends increasing post-discharge visits, minimizing treating psychiatrists, scheduling outpatient follow-up upon discharge, providing psycho-education at discharge (particularly for women and individuals with higher education), addressing patients who leave against medical advice, and conducting telephone follow-up for high-risk patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimating mortality of sea turtles incidentally captured in fishing gear is essential to understanding fishery impacts on sea turtle populations. Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) are a component of bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries, including those operating in Atlantic Canada. In this study, we used pop-up satellite archival tags (PSATs) attached to 62 loggerhead turtles incidentally hooked in Atlantic Canadian shallow-set pelagic longline gear (2012-2018) to estimate associated post-release survival. Consistent with conventional fishing practices, hooks were not removed from turtles prior to release. Analysis of diving behaviour, ocean temperature, and ambient light level was used to assign fates to turtles. Post-release survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier estimator with right censoring. Based on this method, the annual survival probability of an individual loggerhead post-release is 0.877 ± SE 0.052. While it is commonly assumed that hook location is an important variable in predicting fates of turtles after release, there was no difference in survival of deep-hooked (swallowed hook) versus shallow-hooked turtles. These results indicate higher survivorship among hooked loggerheads captured in shallow-set pelagic longline gear than prevailing wisdom and suggest that at least some of the population impacts on loggerhead turtles conventionally attributed to pelagic longline interactions may be linked to other threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avantage Cup has been widely used in dual mobility implants. However, in Swedish Registry, the outcome of the Avantage Cup is reported with higher implants revision compared to control. The aim of our study was to verify if the same results are present in the Registry of Prosthetic Orthopedic Implants (RIPO) of Emilia Romagna (ER, Italy), as the Avantage cup was the most implanted dual mobility cup for a long follow-up reported in this Registry (2000–2012). Furthermore, we assessed the survival rate of the implant over the time. We included all patients that underwent a primary THA using the Avantage cup during the period 2000–2020 in RIPO Registry. The survivorship of the primary THA implants was calculated and plotted according to Kaplan-Meier method. 886 Avantage cups were included in the analysis. During the observational period 44 hips were revised. The most common reasons for revision were: periprosthetic fractures (PPF) (n = 7, 0.8 %), deep infection (n = 7, 0.8 %), and cup aseptic loosening (n = 13, 1.5 %). The survival rate of the implant was 96.8 % (95.3–97.8) at 5 years, 95.7 at 10 years (94.0–97.0) and 92.1 at 15 years (88.5–94.6). In conclusion, this study has demonstrated that the Avantage cup in primary hip arthroplasty implanted with a "friendly" femoral stem granted satisfactory long-term survival. Therefore, in the Swedish Registry, the cause of the poor results presented for Avantage Cup could be the thick, rough neck stem of the widely used Lubinus stem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Breast cancer is an important cause of cancer‐related death in women worldwide and represents the second most frequent cause of brain metastases after lung cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics and outcomes of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients with brain metastasis (BM). Methods. We retrospectively reviewed a cohort of patients diagnosed with TNBC at the "Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplasicas" (period 2000–2014) to evaluate patients who developed BM. Survival rates were assessed by the Kaplan–Meier method, and prognostic factors were identified with the Cox regression analysis. Results. Of a total of 2007 TNBC patients, 193 (9.62%) developed BM. Of these, 169 stages I–III patients with a median age of 45 years (range:21–78) were included. The stage in this cohort was 4 (2.4%) clinical stage (CS) I, 23 (13.6%) with CS II and 142 (84.0%) with CS III. Most of these patients presented ECOG ≥2 (68.6%). The most common symptom was headache (74.0%), followed by nausea‐vomiting (46.7%). Imaging showed that 80 patients (53.0%) had ≥1 metastatic brain lesion. Regarding the treatment of BM in this cohort, 132 patients (84.6%) received radiotherapy (RT), 2 (1.5%) surgery, and 6 (4.5%) surgery plus RT. The overall survival (OS) rate of BM was 59.8%, 37.3%, and 15.0% at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. A multivariate analysis showed RT to be the only factor with a positive impact on the OS of BM (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.48, 95% confidence interval (CI):0.30‐0.77, and p = 0.002), while ECOG ≥2 was associated with a worse OS (HR = 1.69, 95%CI:1.15–2.48, and p = 0.007). Conclusion. Despite the poor prognosis of TNBC patients who develop BM, RT showed a benefit in OS rates, while ECOG ≥2 was the only prognostic factor associated with a worse OS. These results may be useful for multidisciplinary teams for treatment planning in patients with TNBC and BM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical and radiographic outcomes and to determine the survivorship of a high-flexion design total knee arthroplasty (TKA) prosthesis, the LOSPA knee system, over a follow-up period of 10–12 years. Methods: The study included 386 patients (503 TKAs) who were treated with TKA from 2011 to 2013 (follow-up period 10–12 years).The patients were assessed clinically using range of motion (ROM) of the knee, the Knee Society scoring system (KSS), and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). For radiographic analysis, the positions of femoral and tibial implants as α, β, γ, and δ angles, hip knee ankle (HKA) angle, and radiolucent lines were used. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was performed. Results: Mean ROM improved significantly from the preoperative baseline of 117.3° to 126.5° at the final follow-up (p < 0.001). The mean KSS and WOMAC scores also both showed significant improvement after surgery (all p < 0.001). A non-progressive radiolucent line less than 2 mm was observed in 23 cases (4.7%). Nine patients underwent revision surgery on the knee during the follow-up period. Revision surgery was performed on four patients due to aseptic loosening, three patients due to infection, one patient due to ankylosis, and one patient due to instability. When the endpoint of survival was the entire surgical cases, the survival rate was 96.2%. The survival rate, with revision for any reason as the endpoint, was 97.2%, and 97.8% for aseptic causes. Conclusions: The LOSPA knee system, a high-flexion design total knee prosthesis, showed excellent long-term survivorship and improvements in clinical outcomes at 10- to 12-year follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: There is growing evidence that simultaneous bilateral open wedge high tibial osteotomy(SBOWHTO) and simultaneous bilateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty(SBUKA) is an effective surgical treatment for bilateral medial knee osteoarthritis (MKOA). However, which intervention is more beneficial for bilateral MKOA patients remains unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of these two strategies through early clinical outcomes, complication rates, and prosthetic survival. Methods: The clinical data of 60 patients with bilateral MKOA admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2018 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, and they were divided into SBOWHTO group (n = 28) and SBUKA group (n = 32) according to different treatment methods. Clinical relevant indexes, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, Knee Society Knee (KSS) score, range of motion(ROM), postoperative complications and prosthetic survival rate were compared between the two groups. Results: Patients in the SBOWHTO group were followed up for 27 to 50 months, with an average of (37.18 ± 6.84) months. Patients in the SBUKA group were followed up for 24 to 59 months, with an average of (39.38 ± 9.74) months. There were no significant differences in postoperative KSS, HSS and ROM between SBOWHTO group and SBUKA group (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in complication rate between the two groups (p = 0.721). There was no significant difference in prosthetic survival rate (p = 0.622) and prosthetic survival curve (χ2 = 0.546, p = 0.46) between the two groups. Conclusions: This study compared early clinical outcomes, complication rates, and prosthesis retention rates after SBOWHTO and SBUKA, and found that the early clinical benefits of SBOWHTO and SBUKA were comparable in patients with bilateral MKOA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inguinal lymph node (LN) metastasis and particularly the number of metastatic lymph nodes (NMLN) represent a determinant prognostic factor in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC). However, the NMLN may be related to the number of removed LNs. Therefore, the lymph node ratio (LNR) reflects not only the burden of LN involvement but also the quality and extent of lymphadenectomy. Objectives: To investigate the value of the LNR and the count of LN on overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Design: This study is a retrospective, longitudinal, institution-based study. Methods: This study included 192 patients treated for VSCC at the Salah Azaiez Institute between 1994 and 2022. Clinical, pathological, and evolutionary data were reported. Survival curves were generated by the Kaplan–Meier method, and predictive factors of outcome were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models. Results: Surgery consisted of a radical vulvectomy, hemivulvectomy, and pelvic exenteration in, respectively, 96.4%, 2.1%, and 1.6% of cases followed by adjuvant radiotherapy in 38.5% of cases. LN dissection was bilateral in 88.5% of cases. LNR = 0, LNR = 0–0.2, and LNR ⩾0.2 were recorded in, respectively, 64.7%, 22.1%, and 13.2% of cases. With a mean follow-up time of 35 ± 42.06 months, the 5-year OS was 52.5% and the 5-year RFS was 55.8%. On multivariate analysis, the independent prognostic factors of OS were the LNR (hazard ratio (HR) = 5.702; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.282–14.245; p < 0.0001), Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage (HR = 2.089; 95% CI = 1.028–4.277; p = 0.042), and free margins (HR = 2.247; 95% CI = 1.215–4.155; p = 0.01). Recurrences were recorded in 37.5% of cases. Independent prognostic factors of RFS were the LNR (HR = 2.911; 95% CI = 1.468–5.779; p = 0.002), FIGO stage (HR = 1.835; 95% CI = 1.071–3.141; p = 0.027), and free margins (HR = 2.091; 95% CI = 1.286–3.999; p = 0.003). Conclusion: Surgical margin, FIGO stage, and LNR represent the independent prognostic factors of survival and LNR showed superior prognostic predictive accuracy compared with the revised 2021 FIGO staging system for predicting OS and RFS in VSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]