Type I Congenital Plasminogen Deficiency Is not a Risk Factor for Thrombosis

SummaryThe risk of thrombosis in type I congenital plasminogen (PLG) deficiency has been suggested, but is still not confirmed. We studied 40 members of two unrelated families with this disease, and found that 21 were heterozygotes of type I congenital PLG deficiency. Three of them had thrombosis, but the other 18 had no thrombosis. The percentages of family members with no history of thrombosis up to a given age among subjects with type I congenital PLG deficiency and healthy controls were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method. No significant difference between the two groups was observed by the generalized Wilcoxon test (p = 0.23). These results suggest that there is no significant correlation between type I congenital PLG deficiency and thrombosis.

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The impact of prior urethral sling on artificial urinary sphincter outcomes

Canadian Urological Association Journal ◽

10.5489/cuaj.3922 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 10 (11-12) ◽

pp. 405 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Matthew J. Ziegelmann ◽

Brian J. Linder ◽

Marcelino E. Rivera ◽

Boyd R. Viers ◽

Daniel S. Elliott

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Chart Review ◽

Artificial Urinary Sphincter ◽

Device Failure ◽

Kaplan Meier ◽

Hazard Ratios ◽

Urinary Sphincter ◽

Device Infection ◽

Significant Difference ◽

History Of ◽

The Impact

Introduction: We sought to evaluate device outcomes in men who underwent primary artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) placement after failed male urethral sling (MUS).Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of 990 men who underwent an AUS procedure between 2003 and 2014. Of these, 540 were primary AUS placements, including 30 (5.5%) with a history of MUS. AUS revisions and explantations were compared between men stratified by the presence of prior sling. Hazard ratios (HR) adjusting for competing risks were used to determine the association with prior sling and AUS outcomes (infection/ erosion, urethral atrophy, and mechanical malfunction), while overall device failure was estimated using Kaplan-Meier and Coxregression analysis.Results: There was no significant difference in age, body mass index, prior prostatectomy, or pelvic radiation when stratified by history of MUS. However, patients with a history of MUS were more likely to have undergone prior collagen injection (p=0.01). On univariate and multivariate analysis, prior MUS was not associated with device failure (HR 1.54; p=0.27). Three-year overall device survival did not significantly differ between those with and without prior MUS (70% vs. 85%; p=0.21). Also, there were no significant differences in the incidence of device infection/erosion, mechanical malfunction, and urethral atrophy.Conclusions: AUS remains a viable treatment option for men with persistent or recurrent stress urinary incontinence after MUS. However, while not statistically significant, we identified a trend towards lower three-year device outcomes in patients with prior urethral sling. These findings indicate the need for longer-term studies to determine if slings pose an increased hazard.

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Evaluation of bone mineral density (BMD) and indicators of bone turnover in patients with hemophilia

Bosnian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences ◽

10.17305/bjbms.2018.2335 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 206-210 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Mehmet Dagli ◽

Ali Kutlucan ◽

Sedat Abusoglu ◽

Abdulkadir Basturk ◽

Mehmet Sozen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Mineral Density ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Bone Formation ◽

Bone Mass ◽

Bone Mineral ◽

Type I ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Mineral Density ◽

Lymphocyte Ratio ◽

Significant Difference

A decrease in bone mass is observed in hemophilic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD), parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25-hydroxy vitamin D (vitamin D), and a bone formation and resorption marker, procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP) and urinary N-terminal telopeptide (uNTX) respectively, in hemophilic patients and healthy controls. Laboratory parameters related to the pathogenesis of bone loss such as neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were also evaluated. Thirty-five men over 18 years of age, with severe hemophilia (A and B) and receiving secondary prophylaxis, were included in the study. The same number of age-, sex-, and ethnicity-matched healthy controls were evaluated. Anthropometric, biochemical, and hormonal parameters were determined in both groups. No significant difference in anthropometric parameters was found between the two groups. The BMD was low in 34% of hemophilic patients. Vitamin D, calcium, and free testosterone levels were significantly lower (p < 0.001, p = 0.011, p < 0.001, respectively), while PTH, PINP, and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) levels were significantly higher (p < 0.014, p = 0.043, p < 0.001, respectively), in hemophilic patients compared to controls. There was no significant difference between the two groups in NLR, PLR, phosphorus, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and uNTX level. The reduction of bone mass in hemophilic patients may be evaluated using the markers of bone formation and resorption, enabling early detection and timely treatment.

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Association of the CACNA2D2 gene with schizophrenia in Chinese Han population

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.8521 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. e8521

Author(s):

Yingli Fu ◽

Na Zhou ◽

Wei Bai ◽

Yaoyao Sun ◽

Xin Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Calcium Channel ◽

Chinese Women ◽

Han Chinese ◽

Type I ◽

Genotype Distribution ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

Chinese Han ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Significant Difference

Background Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severely complex psychiatric disorder in which ~80% can be explained by genetic factors. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in calcium channel genes are potential genetic risk factors for a spectrum of psychiatric disorders including SCZ. This study evaluated the association between SNPs in the voltage-gated calcium channel auxiliary subunit alpha2delta 2 gene (CACNA2D2) and SCZ in the Han Chinese population of Northeast China. Methods A total of 761 SCZ patients and 775 healthy controls were involved in this case-control study. Three SNPs (rs3806706, rs45536634 and rs12496815) of CACNA2D2 were genotyped by the MALDI-TOF-MS technology. Genotype distribution and allele frequency differences between cases and controls were tested by Chi-square (χ2) in males and females respectively using SPSS 24.0 software. Linkage disequilibrium and haplotype analyses were conducted using Haploview4.2. The false discovery rate correction was utilized to control for Type I error by R3.2.3. Results There was a significant difference in allele frequencies (χ2 = 9.545, Padj = 0.006) and genotype distributions (χ2 = 9.275, Padj = 0.006) of rs45536634 between female SCZ patients and female healthy controls after adjusting for multiple comparisons. Minor allele A (OR = 1.871, 95% CI [1.251–2.798]) and genotype GA + AA (OR = 1.931, 95% CI [1.259–2.963]) were associated with an increased risk of SCZ. Subjects with haplotype AG consisting of rs45536634 and rs12496815 alleles had a higher risk of SCZ (OR = 1.91, 95% CI [1.26–2.90]) compared those with other haplotypes. Conclusions This study provides evidence that CACNA2D2 polymorphisms may influence the susceptibility to SCZ in Han Chinese women.

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P1129PERITONEAL DIALYSIS TECHNIQUE FAILURE IN A LARGE POPULATION IN COLOMBIA

Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation ◽

10.1093/ndt/gfaa144.p1129 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (Supplement_3) ◽

Author(s):

Jasmin Vesga ◽

Nelcy Rodriguez ◽

Angela Rivera ◽

Mauricio Sanabria

Keyword(s):

Large Population ◽

Wilcoxon Test ◽

Technique Survival ◽

Kaplan Meier ◽

History Of ◽

Therapy Services ◽

Competing Events ◽

Catheter Complications ◽

Definition Of ◽

Technique Failure

Abstract Background and Aims Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a renal replacement therapy widely used in the world; about 197,000 patients use it. The main limitation of the use is related to technique failure. Extending time free of technique failure remains a long-term challenge in PD. To estimate the incidence of technique failure in PD and, describe the main reasons for failure. Method A historical, multicenter, observational cohort study of all adult patients starting PD between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2015, with follow-up until December 31, 2018, at Renal Therapy Services (RTS) network. The definition of technique failure applied when a patient was switched to Hemodialysis (HD) for at least 30 days. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of all patients were summarized descriptively by PD modality. We estimate the failure rate with an analysis of Kaplan Meier and analysis that incorporate competing risks as death and transplant. Results 6452 patients met the inclusion criteria for data analysis, 67% were in CAPD modality. The mean age was 59 years, 54% were male, and 53.7% had a history of diabetes, see Table 1. There were 1462 technique failures events with a rate of 10.67 events per 100 patients-year [95% CI, 10.14 – 11.24]. The median technique survival time was 5.8 years [ 95% CI: 5.11 to 5.45]. Technique failure rates did not differ by PD modality (Wilcoxon test = 0.4986), Figure 1. In the presence of competing events, the cumulative incidence of technique failure for the first year was 6.9 events per 100 persons-risk [95% CI: 6.27 to 7.56], Table 2. The most common causes of technique failure were catheter complications, followed by psychological and medical indications, Table 3. Conclusion The incidence of PD technique failure is around ten events per 100 patient-year, and this is lower than the previous cohort reports in the literature. Catheter problems remain the leading cause of technique failure

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A logistic regression analysis of risk factors in ME/CFS pathogenesis

BMC Neurology ◽

10.1186/s12883-019-1468-2 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Eliana M. Lacerda ◽

Keith Geraghty ◽

Caroline C. Kingdon ◽

Luigi Palla ◽

Luis Nacul

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Family History ◽

Disease Onset ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Lower Income ◽

Wide Range ◽

History Of

Abstract Background Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex disease, whose exact cause remains unclear. A wide range of risk factors has been proposed that helps understanding potential disease pathogenesis. However, there is little consistency for many risk factor associations, thus we undertook an exploratory study of risk factors using data from the UK ME/CFS Biobank participants. We report on risk factor associations in ME/CFS compared with multiple sclerosis participants and healthy controls. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 269 people with ME/CFS, including 214 with mild/moderate and 55 with severe symptoms, 74 people with multiple sclerosis (MS), and 134 healthy controls, who were recruited from primary and secondary health services. Data were collected from participants using a standardised written questionnaire. Data analyses consisted of univariate and multivariable regression analysis (by levels of proximity to disease onset). Results A history of frequent colds (OR = 8.26, P <= 0.001) and infections (OR = 25.5, P = 0.015) before onset were the strongest factors associated with a higher risk of ME/CFS compared to healthy controls. Being single (OR = 4.41, P <= 0.001), having lower income (OR = 3.71, P <= 0.001), and a family history of anxiety is associated with a higher risk of ME/CFS compared to healthy controls only (OR = 3.77, P < 0.001). History of frequent colds (OR = 6.31, P < 0.001) and infections before disease onset (OR = 5.12, P = 0.005), being single (OR = 3.66, P = 0.003) and having lower income (OR = 3.48, P = 0.001), are associated with a higher risk of ME/CFS than MS. Severe ME/CFS cases were associated with lower age of ME/CFS onset (OR = 0.63, P = 0.022) and a family history of neurological illness (OR = 6.1, P = 0.001). Conclusions Notable differences in risk profiles were found between ME/CFS and healthy controls, ME/CFS and MS, and mild-moderate and severe ME/CFS. However, we found some commensurate overlap in risk associations between all cohorts. The most notable difference between ME/CFS and MS in our study is a history of recent infection prior to disease onset. Even recognising that our results are limited by the choice of factors we selected to investigate, our findings are consistent with the increasing body of evidence that has been published about the potential role of infections in the pathogenesis of ME/CFS, including common colds/flu.

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Survival among cancer patients undergoing opioid rotation to methadone as compared to other opioids.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2015.33.29_suppl.183 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 33 (29_suppl) ◽

pp. 183-183

Author(s):

Akhila Sunkepally Reddy ◽

Sriram Yennu ◽

Ulrich S. Schuler ◽

Maxine Grace De la Cruz ◽

Jimin Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Overall Survival ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

The Other ◽

Pain Response ◽

Opioid Rotation ◽

Kaplan Meier ◽

Methadone Group ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale ◽

Strong Opioids

183 Background: Recent studies have reported that methadone has antineoplastic activity. Other studies have associated methadone with lower overall survival in patients with chronic pain. Methadone is the most frequent opioid chosen for purpose of opioid rotation (OR) in cancer patients experiencing refractory pain or opioid induced neurotoxicity. There is no data available on the association of methadone with overall survival in cancer patients. Our aim was to compare the characteristics and overall survival in cancer patients in methadone group with other strong opioid group. Methods: In this ad hoc analysis, we reviewed 2471 consecutive patient visits to the supportive care center of a tertiary cancer center in 2008 for ORs from strong opioids to methadone or other strong opioids with a follow-up visit within 6 weeks. Information regarding demographics, Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS), and morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD) were collected. Successful pain response was defined as 2-point or 30% reduction in pain score. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to evaluate survival. Results: Of the 102 eligible patients, 54 underwent OR to methadone and 48 to other strong opioids. The median age was 56 years, 56% were male, and 81% had advanced cancer. There were no significant differences between the methadone group and the other opioid group in patient characteristics, performance status, MEDD, and ESAS scores. Although both the groups showed significant pain response, methadone group (72%) had a significantly higher pain response as compared to the other opioid group (65%; P = 0.04). The Kaplan-Meier curves revealed no significant difference in overall survival (OS) between the methadone group and the other opioid group [median OS: 5.2 months (95% CI 3.64-7.41) vs. 5.9 months (95% CI 2.6-9.2); P = 0.89]. Conclusions: We observed no significant difference in overall survival in cancer patients in methadone group as compared to other opioids. Further validation studies in a larger sample are warranted.

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Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), BRCA: Detailed analysis and outcomes of cohort from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK).

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2020.38.4_suppl.708 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 38 (4_suppl) ◽

pp. 708-708

Author(s):

Parisa Momtaz ◽

Catherine Anne O'Connor ◽

Joanne F. Chou ◽

Marinela Capanu ◽

Kenneth H. Yu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stage Iv ◽

Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽

Cancer Center ◽

Clinicopathologic Characteristics ◽

Entire Cohort ◽

Disease Biology ◽

Kaplan Meier ◽

Significant Difference ◽

History Of ◽

Associated Malignancy

708 Background: Given encouraging responses of platinum agents and poly-ADP ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) in BRCA mutated (mut) PDAC, we sought to identify patients (pts) with BRCA mut PDAC treated at MSKCC and to evaluate outcome. Methods: Institutional database at MSK with IRB approval was queried for PDAC germline (g) or somatic (s) BRCA1/2 mut. Genomic profiling, clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes were collected. Overall survival (OS) from diagnosis was estimated using Kaplan-Meier method. Results: n = 126 with BRCA1/2 mut PDAC were identified between 1/2011-12/2018. n = 77 (61%) male and median age of 62 (range 24-85) at diagnosis. n = 78 (62%) had g BRCA mut (n = 21 BRCA1; n = 57 BRCA2). n = 54 (43%) had a family history of BRCA-related malignancies; 35pts (28%) with a personal history of other BRCA-associated malignancy. n = 66 (52%) AJCC stage IV; of these 43pts (65%) received platinum-based therapy with a partial response (PR) in 35pts (81%); median duration 7 months (m) (range 0.5-39m). n = 40 (32%) received ≥ 4 lines of therapy (range 1-6 lines). n = 44 (35%) received PARPi and 11% (n = 14) received immunotherapy. Median OS for the entire cohort 32.1 m (95% CI 23.9, 42.6). Median OS for stage I-II 49.9m (95% CI 38.5,-); stage III 43m (95% CI 33.9,-) and stage IV 19.1m (95% CI 19.1 16.1,25.8). We did not observe a statistically significant difference in OS between BRCA1 vs BRCA2 pts. Conclusions: BRCA mut PDAC constitutes a small but likely distinct biologic subgroup. Improved OS was notable relative to historical data, possibly due to the integration of platinum and PARPi therapy and possibly due to contribution from disease biology. [Table: see text]

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The right atrial diameter as a risk factor predicting recurrence of atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation at mid-term follow-up

10.21203/rs.3.rs-23323/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Wang Xiaofei ◽

Wang Wenli ◽

Zou Cao

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Independent Risk Factor ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Survival Curve ◽

Right Atrial ◽

Cutoff Value ◽

Kaplan Meier ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Meier Survival Curve

Abstract Background Left atrial diameter (LAD) has been confirmed to predict recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after catheter ablation (CA). The influence of right atrium (RA) size on the prognosis after CA was relatively unclear and lack of research. The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship between right atrial diameter (RAD) and the mid-term outcome of AF after CA. Methods This study retrospectively examined 121 patients who underwent initial CA for symptomatic AF. Cox regression model was used to find risk factors of recurrence. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate predictive power and determine clinic cutoff value. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and log-rank test were used to analyze success rate. Results There were 94 (77.7%) patients of freedom from AF after 24.2 ± 4.5 months’ follow-up. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed both hypertension and RAD were independent risk factors of arrhythmia recurrence after ablation regardless of AF type (HR: 4.915; 95% CI: 1.370-17.635; P = 0.015 and HR: 1.059; 95% CI: 1.001–1.120; P = 0.045, respectively). However, in patients with paroxysmal AF (par-AF), Multivariate analysis showed RAD become the only independent risk factor (HR: 1.031; 95% CI: 1.016–1.340; P = 0.029). ROC curve demonstrated the cutoff value of RAD was 35.5 mm with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.715 (95% CI: 0.586–0.843, P = 0.009), sensitivity of 81.3% and specificity of 54.2%. Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed significant difference of freedom from par-AF (67.5 vs. 91.4%, log-rank, P = 0.015) between patients with RAD ≥ 35.5 mm and < 35.5 mm in this subgroup. Nevertheless, in patients with persistent AF (per-AF), no risk factor of arrhythmia recurrence was found. In addition, Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed no significant difference of freedom from per-AF (69.7 vs. 87.5%, log-rank, P = 0.31) between patients with RAD ≥ 35.5 mm and < 35.5 mm. Conclusions RAD was the independent risk factor predicting recurrence of AF after CA only in patients with par-AF. In patients with RAD < 35.5 mm, there was a significantly higher freedom from par-AF recurrence compared with RAD ≥ 35.5 mm after a mid-term follow-up.

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Comparison of durability of treated wood using stake tests and survival analysis

Journal of Wood Science ◽

10.1186/s10086-021-01996-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 67 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ikuo Momohara ◽

Haruko Sakai ◽

Yuji Kubo

Keyword(s):

Survival Analysis ◽

Treated Wood ◽

Scientific Basis ◽

Wilcoxon Test ◽

Conventional Procedure ◽

Kaplan Meier ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Copper Naphthenate ◽

Alkaline Copper Quaternary ◽

The Relationship

AbstractThe stake test is widely used to evaluate the efficacy of wood preservatives. This test monitors the deterioration level observed in treated stakes partially inserted into the ground. The results are conventionally expressed as the relationship between deterioration levels and exposure periods. The preservative efficacy is compared among the stake groups treated with different retention levels based on the test results; however, there is no scientific basis for the comparison. We applied survival analysis to the conventional stake test to include a scientific basis to the test. Stakes impregnated with different types and retention levels of preservatives were subjected to deterioration at two test sites for approximately 30 years. The deterioration levels were monitored according to the conventional procedure and survival analysis was applied to the monitored data. Kaplan–Meier plots of the survival probabilities against the exposure periods indicated that there is a significant difference between the durability of the stakes treated with alkylammonium chloride (AAC-1) at K2 and K3 retention levels, whereas no significant difference was observed between those at K3 and K4 retention levels. Contrastingly, emulsified copper naphthenate (NCU-E) was found to be a reliable preservative, and the stakes impregnated with NCU-E showed a significant increase in durability in accordance with preservative retention. Alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ-1) also appeared to be a reliable preservative; however, the increase in stake durability after ACQ-1 treatment differed between the test sites. These results were verified using the modified Gehan–Breslow–Wilcoxon test with Holm’s p adjusting method.

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Cytokines in Systemic lupus erythematosus.

10.1101/2020.09.27.20202762 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Angel Alberto Justiz-Vaillant

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Caribbean Region ◽

Type I ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Childbearing Age ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

Sledai Score ◽

Significant Difference

The systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the greatest manifestation of autoimmunity. It is characterized by the presence of cytokines, including type I and II interferons, interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), the immunomodulatory cytokines like IL-10 and TGF-β, be essential players in SLE. Additionally, T-cell-derived cytokines like IL-17A, IL-21, and IL-2 are dysregulated in SLE. In this paper, a prospective cross-sectional and observational study was done. It was measured the levels of 3 essential cytokines in SLE: IL-17A, IL-23, and IL-33 using three enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Thirty (30) patients attending the rheumatoid clinic at one of the major regional hospitals in the Caribbean region were recruited. Mostly females above the childbearing age give their consent to be included in the study and other 30 healthy patients were used a control. Of all the SLE patients, 15 (50%) patients were of Afro-Caribbean descent, 12 (40%) of patients were of Indo-Caribbean descent, and 3 (10%) of patients were of mixed descent. Nineteen (63%) healthy controls were females, and 11 (37%) were males. The results showed that serum IL-17A and IL-23 were more significantly higher in SLE patients than controls (P<0.01); however, there was no statistically significant difference between IL-33 levels between SLE patients and healthy controls. The study showed no correlation between serum IL-17A and IL-23 in SLE patients as judged by the result of the Pearson correlation coefficient (r=0.308, p>0.05). It also showed that serum IL-17A and IL-23 levels positively correlate to the SLE disease activity index 2000 score (SLEDAI score). Nevertheless, IL-33 levels show no correlation with the SLEDAI score. In this study, higher cytokines were reported mostly in patients between the ages of 25 to 30-year-old and Afro-Caribbean descent.

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