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Abstract Introduction There are limited data on chest computed tomography (CT) findings in the assessment of lung nodules among adult Aboriginal Australians. In this retrospective study, we assessed lung nodules among a group of adult Aboriginal Australians in the Northern Territory of Australia. Methods Patients who underwent at least two chest CT scans between 2012 and 2020 among those referred to undergo lung function testing (spirometry) were included. Chest CT scans were assessed for the number, location, size and morphological characteristics of lung nodules. Results Of the 402 chest CTs assessed, 75 patients (18.7%) had lung nodules, and 57 patients were included in the final analysis with at least two CT scans available for assessment over a median follow‐up of 87 weeks. Most patients (68%) were women, with a median age of 58 years and smoking history in 83%. The majority recorded only a single nodule 43 (74%). Six patients (10%) were diagnosed with malignancy, five with primary lung cancer and one with metastatic thyroid cancer. Of the 51 (90%) patients assessed to be benign, 64 nodules were identified, of which 25 (39%) resolved, 38 (59%) remained stable and one (1.8%) enlarged on follow‐up. Nodules among patients with malignancy were typically initially larger and enlarged over time, had spiculated margins and were solid, showing no specific lobar predilection. Conclusions Most lung nodules in Aboriginal Australians are likely to be benign. However, a proportion could be malignant. Further prospective studies are required for prognostication and monitoring of lung nodules in this population.

Introduction: Hyperlipidemia and its complications are common health issues in the current era with multifactorial in origin. Foetal malnutrition results in neuroendocrine, pancreatic, and adipose tissue dysfunction, ultimately increasing food intake and decreasing energy utilisation. It leads to an increase in adiposity and insulin resistance and ultimately increase adult diseases in later life. Aim: To compare the lipid profiles of Small for Gestational Age (SGA) and Appropriate for Gestational Age (AGA) babies. Materials and Methods: This was a case-control study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology of Karwar Institute of Medical Sciences, Karwar, Karnataka, India over a period from (December 2020 to March 2021). A total of 133 deliveries were recruited randomly and babies were divided into cases including those small for gestational age & controls including those appropriate for gestational age. Data was analysed and described using descriptive (mean, standard deviation, and range) and inferential statistics (students’ t-test). Results: There were 99 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and 34 small for gestational age(SGA) babies studied. This study found that SGA-babies had statistically significantly lower gestational age(Mean 37.50 ± 2.77 weeks) at birth compared to AGA-babies (Mean 38.55±1.11 weeks) t=-2.584, p=0.012. The mean Total Cholesterol (TC) level (63.62±40.48 mg/dL) was higher in SGAbabies compared to AGA-babies(48.69±2.29 mg/dL) and this difference was statistically significant (p-value=0.007). The mean high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels of SGA and AGA babies were comparable with no statistical significance (21.82±13.26mg/ dL of SGA; 21.4914.64mg/dL of AGA; p-value 0.907). The mean very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) level (17.1125.35 mg/dL) was higher in SGA-babies compared to AGA-babies (9.47±9.35 mg/ dL) and this difference was statistically significant (p-value 0.05). Conclusion: Levels of all lipids were found to be higher in SGAbabies than in AGA-babies.

Objective To describe the process of community engagement (CE) in northern Karnataka, India and its impact on pre-eclampsia knowledge, birth preparedness and complication readiness, pregnancy-related care seeking and maternal morbidity.Design This study was a secondary analysis of a cluster randomised trial of Community Level Interventions for Pre-eclampsia (CLIP). A total of 12 clusters based on primary health centre catchment areas were randomised to intervention or control. CE was conducted in intervention clusters. CE attendance was summarised according to participant group using both quantitative and qualitative assessment. Pre-eclampsia knowledge, birth preparedness, health services engagement and perinatal outcomes was evaluated within trial surveillance. Outcomes were compared between trial arms using a mixed effects logistic regression model on RStudio (RStudio, Boston, USA). Community feedback notes were thematically analysed on NVivo V.12 (QSR International, Melbourne, Australia).Setting Belagavi and Bagalkote districts in rural Karnataka, India.Participants Pregnant women and women of reproductive age, mothers and mothers-in-law, community stakeholders and male household decision-makers and health workers.Results A total of 1379 CE meetings were conducted with 39 362 participants between November 2014 and October 2016. CE activities may have had an effect on modifying community attitudes towards hypertension in pregnancy and its complications. However, rates of pre-eclampsia knowledge, birth preparedness, health services engagement and maternal morbidities among individual pregnant women were not significantly impacted by CE activities in their area.Conclusion Evaluation of our CE programme in India demonstrates the feasibility of reaching pregnant women alongside household decision-makers, community stakeholders and health workers. More research is needed to explore the pathways of impact between broad community mobilisation to strengthen support for maternal care seeking and clinical outcomes of individual pregnant women.Trial registration number NCT01911494.

Aim: Indigenous Australians with lung cancer have poorer survival than non‐Indigenous Australians. The reasons for the disparity are not fully understood and this study hypothesized that there may be a difference in the molecular profiles of tumors. The aim of this study, therefore, was to describe and compare the characteristics of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the Northern Territory's Top End, between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous patients, and describe the molecular profile of tumors in the two groups. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of all adults with a new diagnosis of NSCLC in the Top End from 2017 to 2019. Patient characteristics assessed were Indigenous status, age, sex, smoking status, disease stage, and performance status. Molecular characteristics assessed were epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), v‐raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF), ROS proto‐oncogene 1 (ROS1), Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS), mesenchymal‐epithelial transition (MET), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1). Student's t‐test and Fisher's Exact Test were used in the statistical analysis. Results: There were 152 patients diagnosed with NSCLC in the Top End from 2017–2019. Thirty (19.7%) were Indigenous and 122 (80.3%) were non‐Indigenous. Indigenous patients compared to non‐Indigenous patients were younger at diagnosis (median age 60.7 years versus 67.1 years, p = 0.00036) but were otherwise similar in demographics. PD‐L1 expression was similar between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous patients (p = 0.91). The only mutations identified among stage IV non‐squamous NSCLC patients were EGFR and KRAS but testing rates and overall numbers were too small to draw conclusions about differences in prevalence between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous patients. Conclusion: This is the first study to investigate the molecular characteristics of NSCLC in the Top End. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Use of immune checkpoint inhibitors is growing, but clinical trial data may not apply to Indigenous patients or patients living in remote areas. Aims: To provide real‐world incidence of immune‐related adverse events (irAE) in the Top End of the Northern Territory and compare incidence between demographic subgroups. Methods: This retrospective, observational, cohort study collected data from electronic records of patients living in the Top End with solid organ cancer treated with immunotherapy between January 2016 and December 2021. The primary outcome was cumulative incidence of any‐grade and severe irAE. Secondary outcomes were overall survival, treatment duration and reason for treatment discontinuation. Results: Two hundred and twenty‐six patients received immunotherapy. Forty‐eight (21%) lived in a remote or very remote area, and 36 (16%) were Indigenous. Cumulative incidence of any‐grade irAE was 54% (122/226 patients); incidence of severe irAE was 26% (59/226 patients). Rates were similar between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous patients of any‐grade (42% vs 56%, P = 0.11) and severe (11% vs 18%, P = 0.29) irAE. However, Indigenous patients had shorter treatment duration, more frequently discontinued treatment due to patient preference and appeared to have shorter median overall survival than non‐Indigenous patients (17.1 vs 30.4 months; hazard ratio (HR) = 1.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.92–2.66). There was no difference in mortality between remote and urban patients (median overall survival 27.5 vs 30.2 months; HR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.7–1.7). Conclusions: Rates of irAE in our cohort are comparable to those in the published literature. There was no significant difference in any‐grade or severe irAE incidence observed between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There are limited data on chest computed tomography (CT) findings in the assessment of lung nodules among adult Aboriginal Australians. In this retrospective study, we assessed lung nodules among a group of adult Aboriginal Australians in the Northern Territory of Australia. Methods: Patients who underwent at least two chest CT scans between 2012 and 2020 among those referred to undergo lung function testing (spirometry) were included. Chest CT scans were assessed for the number, location, size and morphological characteristics of lung nodules. Results: Of the 402 chest CTs assessed, 75 patients (18.7%) had lung nodules, and 57 patients were included in the final analysis with at least two CT scans available for assessment over a median follow‐up of 87 weeks. Most patients (68%) were women, with a median age of 58 years and smoking history in 83%. The majority recorded only a single nodule 43 (74%). Six patients (10%) were diagnosed with malignancy, five with primary lung cancer and one with metastatic thyroid cancer. Of the 51 (90%) patients assessed to be benign, 64 nodules were identified, of which 25 (39%) resolved, 38 (59%) remained stable and one (1.8%) enlarged on follow‐up. Nodules among patients with malignancy were typically initially larger and enlarged over time, had spiculated margins and were solid, showing no specific lobar predilection. Conclusions: Most lung nodules in Aboriginal Australians are likely to be benign. However, a proportion could be malignant. Further prospective studies are required for prognostication and monitoring of lung nodules in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Paraneoplastic neurological syndrome is an immune-mediated phenomenon where antibodies from tumor cells are produced against neuronal proteins. Amphiphysin antibody is an onconeural antibody linked to the diagnosis of breast cancer and small-cell lung cancer. It is uncommon and typically associated with stiff-person syndrome, of which 90% of patients are eventually diagnosed with breast cancer. Case presentation We present a case of a 47-year-old Caucasian woman with metastatic hormone receptor-positive breast cancer who developed bilateral facial nerve palsy while on treatment with nab-paclitaxel. The patient was found to have anti-amphiphysin antibody in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid. She was treated with methylprednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin, which resulted in partial improvement in her facial nerve palsy. Conclusions This case highlights a rare presentation of bilateral facial nerve palsy that likely related to paraneoplastic syndrome associated with the presence of anti-amphiphysin antibody.

Vivek Narayan, Naomi Balzer Haas Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA Background: Axitinib is a next-generation, selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor receptors. It is approved for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) based on a demonstrated progression-free survival advantage over sorafenib in the second-line treatment setting. However, given the variety of available targeted therapies for mRCC, appropriate patient selection for the available therapies remains a significant clinical challenge. Purpose: This review summarizes the available evidence on the clinical, toxicity, and pharmacologic considerations for determining appropriate patient selection for axitinib therapy. In addition, it describes recent data on the use of predictive biomarkers to guide clinical management. This paper consists of material obtained via PubMed and Medline literature searches through October 2015. Conclusion: Axitinib has a well-established role in the management of mRCC. Consistent clinical efficacy has been demonstrated across prognostic risk groups and prior therapeutic exposures. Although axitinib is generally well tolerated, appropriate toxicity management is critical to maximizing drug delivery and optimizing treatment outcomes. Although incident hypertension has been associated with improved clinical outcomes on axitinib, there are currently no validated clinical or genetic predictive biomarkers to guide patient selection. Keywords: axitinib, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, renal cell carcinoma, predictive marker

Objectives This study assessed whether community mobilization and interventions to improve emergency obstetric and newborn care reduced perinatal mortality (PMR) and neonatal mortality rates (NMR) in Belgaum, India. Methods The cluster-randomised controlled trial was conducted in Belgaum District, Karnataka State, India. Twenty geographic clusters were randomized to control or the intervention. The intervention engaged and mobilized community and health authorities to leverage support; strengthened community-based stabilization, referral, and transportation; and aimed to improve quality of care at facilities. Results 17,754 Intervention births and 15,954 control births weighing [greater than or equal to]1000 g, respectively, were enrolled and analysed. Comparing the baseline period to the last 6 months period, the NMR was lower in the intervention versus control clusters (OR 0.60, 95 % CI 0.34-1.06, p = 0.076) as was the PMR (OR 0.74, 95 % CI 0.46-1.19, p = 0.20) although neither reached statistical significance. Rates of facility birth and caesarean section increased among both groups. There was limited influence on quality of care measures. Conclusions for Practice The intervention had large but not statistically significant effects on neonatal and perinatal mortality. Community mobilization and increased facility care may ultimately improve neonatal and perinatal survival, and are important in the context of the global transition towards institutional delivery., Author(s): Shivaprasad S. Goudar [sup.1] , Richard J. Derman [sup.2] , Narayan V. Honnungar [sup.1] , Kamal P. Patil [sup.1] , Mallaiah K. Swamy [sup.1] , Janet Moore [sup.3] , [...]

Background: Alterations in heart rate (HR) may provide new information about physiological signatures of depression severity. This 2-year study in individuals with a history of recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD) explored the intra-individual variations in HR parameters and their relationship with depression severity. Methods: Data from 510 participants (Number of observations of the HR parameters = 6666) were collected from three centres in the Netherlands, Spain, and the UK, as a part of the remote assessment of disease and relapse-MDD study. We analysed the relationship between depression severity, assessed every 2 weeks with the Patient Health Questionnaire-8, with HR parameters in the week before the assessment, such as HR features during all day, resting periods during the day and at night, and activity periods during the day evaluated with a wrist-worn Fitbit device. Linear mixed models were used with random intercepts for participants and countries. Covariates included in the models were age, sex, BMI, smoking and alcohol consumption, antidepressant use and co-morbidities with other medical health conditions. Results: Decreases in HR variation during resting periods during the day were related with an increased severity of depression both in univariate and multivariate analyses. Mean HR during resting at night was higher in participants with more severe depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that alterations in resting HR during all day and night are associated with depression severity. These findings may provide an early warning of worsening depression symptoms which could allow clinicians to take responsive treatment measures promptly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing vital health statistics registries in India have been unable to provide reliable estimates of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity, and region-specific health estimates are essential to the planning and monitoring of health interventions. This study was designed to assess baseline rates as the precursor to a community-based cluster randomized control trial (cRCT)-Community Level Interventions for Pre-eclampsia (CLIP) Trial (NCT01911494; CTRI/2014/01/004352). The objective was to describe baseline demographics and health outcomes prior to initiation of the CLIP trial and to improve knowledge of population-level health, in particular of maternal and neonatal outcomes related to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, in northern districts the state of Karnataka, India. The prospective population-based survey was conducted in eight clusters in Belgaum and Bagalkot districts in Karnataka State from 2013-2014. Data collection was undertaken by adapting the Maternal and Newborn Health registry platform, developed by the Global Network for Women's and Child Health Studies. Descriptive statistics were completed using SAS and R. During the period of 2013-2014, prospective data was collected on 5,469 pregnant women with an average age of 23.2 (+/-3.3) years. Delivery outcomes were collected from 5,448 completed pregnancies. A majority of the women reported institutional deliveries (96.0%), largely attended by skilled birth attendants. The maternal mortality ratio of 103 (per 100,000 livebirths) was observed during this study, neonatal mortality ratio was 25 per 1,000 livebirths, and perinatal mortality ratio was 50 per 1,000 livebirths. Despite a high number of institutional deliveries, rates of stillbirth were 2.86%. Early enrollment and close follow-up and monitoring procedures established by the Maternal and Newborn Health registry allowed for negligible lost to follow-up. This population-level study provides regional rates of maternal and newborn health in Belgaum and Bagalkot in Karnataka over 2013-14. The mortality ratios and morbidity information can be used in planning interventions and monitoring indicators of effectiveness to inform policy and practice. Comprehensive regional epidemiologic data, such as that provided here, is essential to gauge improvements and challenges in maternal health, as well as track disparities found in rural areas.