scholarly journals Digestive Oncology in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Mariana Brito ◽  
Ana Laranjo ◽  
Júlia Sabino ◽  
Carla Oliveira ◽  
Irina Mocanu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Tumor Staging ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Digestive Cancer ◽  
Urgent Surgery ◽  
The Mean ◽  
First Time ◽  
Digestive Oncology

Introduction: Since the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic there has been widespread concern regarding the possible delay in the diagnosis/treatment of cancer patients. We aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of patients with digestive cancer. Methods: This was a retrospective study including patients with an inaugural digestive cancer diagnosis discussed for the first time at our center during the weekly digestive oncology reunion (DOR) meeting. The study group was enlisted from March to August 2020, and a control group was sourced from the equivalent period of 2018. Patients with a previous digestive cancer diagnosis/discussion in the DOR were excluded. The following data were collected: demographics, referral origin, tumor staging, first DOR discussion timing, treatment, and outcome. Results: A total of 235 patients were included: 107 in the study group (65.4% male, mean age 71.59 years); 128 in the control group (54.7% male, mean age 68.16 years). The mean number of clinical discussions per week was higher in 2018 (13.65 vs. 10.67, p = 0.040), without a difference in the mean number of patients discussed for the first time (inaugural diagnosis) between groups (p = 0.670). In the 2020 study group, more patients were referred to DOR from the emergency room (ER), fewer from the outpatient clinic/hospital wards (p < 0.001), and more were referred after urgent surgery (p = 0.022). There was no difference in the mean waiting time from diagnosis to first DOR discussion (p = 0.087). Tumor staging in colorectal, gastric, and esophageal cancer was not significantly different between the groups (p = 0897, p = 0.168, and p = 0.717). More patients in the study group presented with stage IV pancreatic cancer (p = 0.043). There was no difference in the time span from DOR until the beginning of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.680) or elective surgery (p = 0.198), or from surgery until adjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.396). Also, there was no difference in 30-day mortality from the first DOR date between the groups (p = 0.742). Conclusion: During the COVID-19 era there was a reduced number of clinical discussions in the DOR, but the number of debated patients with an inaugural digestive cancer diagnosis was similar. In the study group more patients were referred to DOR from the ER, and were referred after urgent surgery, suggesting a delayed demand for clinical attention. Study group patients were not significantly affected by the pandemic regarding timely DOR discussion, beginning of treatment, or 30-day mortality, reflecting the maintenance of the quality of care for digestive cancer patients.

scholarly journals Serum Level and Tumor Tissue Expression of Ribonucleotide-Diphosphate Reductase Subunit M2 B: A Potential Biomarker for Colorectal Cancer

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naser Mobarra ◽  
Hanieh Gholamalizadeh ◽  
Kaed A. Abdulhussein ◽  
Fatemeh Taheri Asl ◽  
Mobina Sadat Mirvahabi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Serum Level ◽  
Tumor Metastasis ◽  
Tumor Tissue ◽  
Tumor Staging ◽  
Tissue Expression ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Potential Biomarker ◽  
The Mean ◽  
First Time

Abstract Background: This study aimed to investigate whether serum level and tissue expression of Ribonucleotide-diphosphate Reductase subunit M2 B (RRM2B) could be recognized as reliable biomarkers for colorectal cancer (CRC) progression and metastasis.Methods and Results: This descriptive-analytic cohort study was conducted on 50 newly diagnosed CRC patients (stage II, III) and 50 healthy individuals. The new cases had not received any therapeutic intervention and underwent surgery immediately after the initial diagnosis. Tumorous tissues and marginal healthy tissues as control were excised to determine the mRNA tissue expression of RRM2B by Real-Time PCR. Serum RRM2B protein was measured using an ELISA method once in the control group and in the patients before, one, and three months after surgery. The tumor metastasis node (TMN) classification system and liver metastasis were evaluated in CRC patients. The mean RRM2B gene expression in tumor tissue was 51% lower than adjacent normal tissue (P < 0.001). We did not find a significant relationship between serum level of RRM2B and tumor staging and metastasis in patients before surgery (P = 0.373, P = 0.189), one month after surgery (P = 0.960, P = 0.088), and three months after surgery (P = 0.407, P = 0.724). RRM2B expression in tumor tissue was not associated with tumor staging and metastasis (P = 0.254, P = 0.721)Conclusion: Our study indicates the first time evidence that RRM2B may serve as a potential biomarker for CRC.

The effect of foot reflexology on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in digestive or lung cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey Murat-Ringot ◽  
Pierre Jean Souquet ◽  
Fabien Subtil ◽  
Florent Boutitie ◽  
Marie Preau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Nausea And Vomiting ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Digestive Cancer ◽  
Complementary Medicines ◽  
Antiemetic Drugs ◽  
Platinum Based Chemotherapy ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Delayed Nausea

BACKGROUND Cancer is a chronic disease with an incident worldwide had been 24.5 million and 9.6 million deaths in 2017. Lung and colorectal cancer are the most common cancer for both sexes and according to national and international recommendations platinum-based chemotherapy is the reference adjuvant treatment. This chemotherapy can be moderately to highly emetogenic. Despite antiemetic therapy, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting may persist. Moreover, cancer patient are increasingly interested in alternative and complementary medicines and express the desire that non-pharmacological treatments be used in hospitals. Among alternative and complementary medicines, foot reflexology decreases significantly the severity of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients. OBJECTIVE The primary objective of the present study was to assess the benefits of foot reflexology as a complement to conventional treatments on severity of acute chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in digestive or lung cancer patients. The secondary objectives assessed were the frequency and severity of delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, quality of life, anxiety, and self-esteem. METHODS The present study was conducted between April 2018 and April 2020 in French University Hospital. This is an open-label randomized controlled trial. Participants are randomized into two groups: 40 to interventional group (conventional care with foot reflexology) and 40 to control group (conventional care without foot reflexology). Foot reflexology sessions (30 minutes) are performed on an outpatient or inpatient. Eligible participants are patients with a lung or digestive cancer with indication for platinum-based chemotherapy. RESULTS The severity of acute nausea and vomiting was assessed with a visual analogue scale during the second cycle of chemotherapy. A significant increase of at least 2 points was observed for control group (20.6%, P = 0.01). Across all cycle, the foot reflexology group showed a trend towards less frequent delayed nausea (P=0.28), a significantly less frequent consumption of antiemetic drugs (P=0.04), and no significant difference for vomiting (P=0.99); there was a trend towards a perception of stronger severity for delayed nausea in the control group (P=0.39). According to quality of life and anxiety, there was no significant difference between the interventional group and the control group (P=0.32 and P=0.53 respectively). CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the present study results indicated that foot reflexology decreased significantly the severity of acute nausea and consumption of antiemetic drugs in lung and digestive cancer patients. No side effects from foot reflexology have been noted. In order to better respond to a desire of patients for non-pharmacological treatments and CAMs to be used in hospitals to improve their care, the results of this study showed that foot reflexology seems to be a promising complement to conventional antiemetic drugs. To assess the performance of this intervention in routine practice, a larger study with several health care centers would be relevant with a cluster RCT. CLINICALTRIAL The present study registered with clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03508180 (28/06/2018) INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.2196/17232

Effectiveness of neurobic exercise program on memory and depression among elderly residing at old age home

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Divya Raj ◽  
Subramaniam Santhi ◽  
G. J. Sara Sapharina
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Interventional Group ◽  
Old Age Homes

AbstractObjectivesThis study finds out the effectiveness of neurobic exercise program on memory and depression among elderly residing in old age homes.MethodsThe non-probability purposive sampling technique was used for sample selection. Wechsler's memory scale (WMS-IV) and Geriatric depression scale (GDS) were the instruments used to assess the memory and depression among elderly during the pretest and posttest, respectively and the researcher had developed data sheet to collect information about the background variables using interview technique.ResultsThe neurobic exercise program was found to be effective in reducing depression among elderly residing in old age homes. There was a significant difference (p<0.001) in the level of depression had been found during the pretest and posttest in the interventional group. There was a statistically significant difference (p<0.001) found between the study group and in the control group. There was significant correlation (r=0.417, p<0.05) found between the memory and depression during the pretest in the study group among the elderly. A statistically significant association (p<0.05) found in the mean scores of depression and marital status of the elderly during the pretest in the study group and there was a significant association (p<0.01) found in the mean scores of depression and the gender of the elderly during the pretest and posttest in the non interventional group were found.ConclusionsThe findings suggested that neurobic exercise program is an effective intervention in improving memory and reducing depression.

Analysis of the Impact of Personalized Nursing Service and Hospice Care on the Quality of Life of Elderly Cancer Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 469-473
Author(s):  
Ting Fang ◽  
Nian Wang ◽  
Meng Chen ◽  
Hongmei Ma
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Hospice Care ◽  
Pain Treatment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Impact

Objective Explore the impact of personalized nursing services and hospice care on the quality of life of elderly patients with advanced cancer. Method We selected 80 elderly cancer patients admitted to our hospital from September 2020 to May 2021, and divided these patients into a study group and a control group using a random number table method. The patients in the control group used conventional nursing methods to treat and care for the patients, and the patients in the study group used hospice care measures and combined personalized nursing measures. The quality of life and pain treatment effects of the two groups of patients before and after treatment were compared. Result Before treatment, the quality-of-life scores of the two groups of patients were low, and there was no statistical difference (P>0.05); After treatment, the quality of life of the two groups of patients improved, but compared with the control group, the improvement was more obvious in the study group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). In terms of pain treatment effect, the total effective rate of pain treatment in the study group was 87.5%, which was significantly better than the 62.5% in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Personalized nursing services and hospice care are conducive to improving the survival and treatment of elderly patients with advanced cancer, and can be used as a clinical application program for the care of advanced cancer patients.

Effect of Anterolateral Thigh Perforator Flap Repair on the Appearance, Language and Masticatory Function of Oral Cancer Patients after Radical Surgery

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 4277-4285
Author(s):  
Fengchun Hou ◽  
Di Wang ◽  
Tao Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Oral Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Myocutaneous Flap ◽  
Perforator Flap ◽  
Pectoralis Major ◽  
Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous Flap ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Masticatory Function ◽  
Oral Cancer Patients

Purpose: The purpose was to explore the application effect of anterolateral thigh perforator flap (ALTP) and pectoralis major myocutaneous flap on repairing the tissuedefects after oral cancer surgery. Methods: 100 oral cancer patients treated in our hospital from January 2018 to December 2020 were selected as the research objects. After both groups of patients received extended resection of tumors, neck lymph node dissection and other routine treatment, the control group was repaired by pectoralis major myocutaneous flap while the study group was repaired by ALTP to compare the flap survival rate, language, masticatory function and other related indicators between the two groups. Results: The flap harvesting time and defect repair time in the control group were shorter than those in the study group (P<0.05); The language, masticatory function and swallowing function in both groups after treatment were significantly better than those before treatment (P<0.05); The total incidence of complications in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05); After treatment, the quality of life scores in both groups were significantly higher than those before treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion: Both ALTP and pectoralis major myocutaneous flap can be used to repair the tissue defects after radical resection of oral cancer, which can effective improve the postoperative appearance, language and masticatory function of oral cancer patients. However, pectoralis major myocutaneous flap has easier operation and shorter operation time while ALTP can significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative complications with higher safety.

scholarly journals Patients with Achilles Tendon Rupture Have a Degenerated Contralateral Achilles Tendon: An Elastography Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qianru Li ◽  
Qi Zhang ◽  
Yehua Cai ◽  
Yinghui Hua
Keyword(s):  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Axial Strain ◽  
Achilles Tendon Rupture ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Mean

Purpose. To evaluate differences of Achilles tendon (AT) hardness and morphology between asymptomatic tendons in patients with acute AT ruptures on the contralateral side and asymptomatic tendons in healthy people by using computer-assisted quantification on axial-strain sonoelastography (ASE). Methods. The study consisted of 33 asymptomatic tendons in 33 patients (study group) and 34 tendons in 19 healthy volunteers (control group). All the tendons were examined by both ASE and conventional ultrasound. Computer-assisted quantification on ASE was applied to extract hardness variables, including the mean (Hmean), 20th percentile (H20), median (H50) and skewness (Hsk) of the hardness within tendon, and the ratio of the mean hardness within tendon to that outside tendon (Hratio) and three morphological variables: the thickness (THK), cross-sectional area, and eccentricity (ECC) of tendons. Results. The Hmean, Hsk, H20, H50, and Hratio in the proximal third of the tendon body in study group were significantly smaller than those in control group (Hmean: 0.43±0.09 vs 0.50±0.07, p=0.001; Hsk: -0.53±0.51 vs -1.09±0.51, p<0.001; H20: 0.31±0.10 vs 0.40±0.10, p=0.001; H50: 0.45±0.10 vs 0.53±0.08, p<0.001; Hratio: 1.01±0.25 vs 1.20±0.23, p=0.003). The THK and cross-sectional area of tendons in the study group were larger than those in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions. As a quantitative objective method, the computer-assisted ASE reveals that the asymptomatic ATs contralateral to acute rupture are softer than those of healthy control group at the proximal third and the asymptomatic tendons in people with rupture history are thicker, larger, and rounder than those of normal volunteers especially at the middle and distal thirds of AT body.

scholarly journals Pattern ERG as a predictor in ocular hypertensive

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paaraj Dave ◽  
Jitendra Jethani
Keyword(s):  
Amplitude Ratio ◽  
Corneal Thickness ◽  
Visual Fields ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Pattern Erg ◽  
Check Size ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Mean

Purpose: To report the repeatability of Pattern Electrotretinogram (PERG) and its findings in ocular hypertension (OHT) and normal eyes.Methods: A cross-sectional study where PERG responses were compared between the study group comprising of 80 eyes of 80 patients with intraocular pressure (IOP)>21 mmHg and the control group with 80 eyes of 80 normal individuals (IOP≤21mmHg). The optic disc and the visual fields were normal with a visual acuity of ≥ 0.8 in both groups. PERG was recorded twice for each individual in the control group by a single operator on 2 consecutive days to assess the repeatability.Results: The mean age in the study and control groups was 50.05±10.03 and 54.8±7.66 years(p=0.44) respectively. The mean IOP was 26.55±3.9 mmHg for the study group as opposed to 14.45±2.9 mmHg for the controls (p<0.001). The central corneal thickness and the cup-disc ratio was similar between the groups (p>.05). The P50-N95 amplitude (p=0.01) and the P50 latency (p<0.001) was statistically significantly different between both the groups. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) showed poor agreement for all parameters except for N35-P50 0.8 to 16 degree check size amplitude ratio (PERG ratio).Conclusion:  Increase in P50 latency emerges as a new candidate for early glaucoma indicator in addition to reduction in P50-N95 amplitude. PERG parameters suffer from high test-retest variability. Deterioration in PERG recordings should be interpreted with caution. The variability is lesser for the PERG ratio which maybe more meaningful while monitoring for change over time.

scholarly journals True and Pseudo Cholinesterase levels in short and long-term of pesticides exposures

2020 ◽  
pp. 9-12
Author(s):  
Mohammed Abdul Rahman ◽  
Raghunatha Rao D ◽  
Vasantha L
Keyword(s):  
Whole Blood ◽  
Acute Poisoning ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Serum Cholinesterase ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Chronic Poisoning ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference ◽  
And Control

The present study is aimed to study and analyze the true and pseudo Cholinesterase levels in the subjects exposed to pesticides during short term by intentional or accidental intake and long term exposure due to their occupation were studied at Department of Biochemistry, SVS medical college and hospital mahbubnagar district. Whole blood cholinesterase levels and Pseudo cholinesterase levels were estimated. 150 people were taken as controls who had no medical illness and a total number of 300 cases of pesticide poisoning were selected, aged between 20 to 55 years, which consist of 150 acute poisoning and 150 chronic poisoning subjects in Mahbubnagar district, were taken as case study, the detailed case history and the type of organophosphorus pesticide taken were recorded. Mean and standard deviation (S.D) of all variables were calculated and compared with those of controls. Statistical significance was assessed and P-value <0.05 were considered significant.           During acute poisoning the mean value of Whole blood cholinesterase/True cholinesterase (U / L) in acute poisoning cases on first day was 1.267± 0.612 on 3th day was 1.651±0.647, on 7th day was 2.221±0.684 and at the end of 6 months was 3.970±0.404.The difference between the study group and control group (4.0 ± 0.39) was found to be statistically significant in1st, 3rd, 7th day but not significant at the end of 6 months. The mean value of serum cholinesterase/pseudo cholinesterase (U/L) in acute poisoning cases on first day was 2213.05 ± 1749.81, on 3th day was 2862.3 ± 2025.6, on 7th day was 4008.4 ± 2355.9 and at the end of 6 months was 7708.34 ± 880.72.The difference between the study group and control group (7991.97 ± 1276.5) was found to be statistically significant in1st, 3rd, 7th day but not significant at the end of 6 months. During chronic poisoning (exposure) the mean value of Whole blood cholinesterase (U/L) in controls is 4.0 ± 0.39 as compared to 3.019 ± 0.848 in cases of chronic poisoning. The difference between the study group and control group was found to be statistically significant. The mean value of serum cholinesterase/pseudo cholinesterase (U/L) in controls was 7991.97 ± 1276.5 as compared to 6214 ± 1189 in cases of chronic poisoning. The difference between the study group and control group was found to be statistically significant.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the eating habits of breast cancer patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuba Kayan Tapan ◽  
Zeynep Erdogan Iyigun ◽  
Serkan Ilgun ◽  
Vahit Ozmen
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Saturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Vitamin B2 ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients

Objective: To determine the relationship between the dietary characteristics of breast cancer patients. Methods: Patients with breast cancer whose treatments have finished and are in remission formed the study group and healthy people formed the control group. Demographic, anthropometric characteristics, food consumption frequency form and exercise status were recorded with all groups. Data analysis was done by SPSS 22. Results: In the study group, mean carbohydrate percentage was lower, while fat, fat percentage, monosaccharide, glucose, fructose, omega3(n3), saturated fatty acids(SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), vitamin A, C, E, B6, biotin and copper values were significantly higher (p<0.05). Recurrence was observed in seven patients (7.1%) during the follow-up period, hormone receptor levels (ER) and vitamin B2 intake (accuracy 93.9%) were inversely related to the recurrence of the disease (p=0.02). Conclusions: While the percentage of carbohydrate taken was lower in study group; total fat, n3, SFA, MUFA, monosaccharide, glucose, fructose, water-soluble fiber, B6, biotin and copper values were higher. Further studies are needed for vitamin B2 deficiency in patients with recurrence. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.7.2368 How to cite this:Tapan TK, Iyigun ZE, Ilgun S, Ozmen V. Evaluation of the eating habits of breast cancer patients. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(7):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.7.2368 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

scholarly journals OUTCOME BASED LEARNING: THE EFFECT OF EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING ACTIVITY ON DEEP CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 20-29
Author(s):  
Prashant Thote ◽  
Gowri S
Keyword(s):  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Conceptual Understanding ◽  
Learning Activities ◽  
Learning Activity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Teaching Model ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Post Test ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Understanding Of Science

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of experiential learning activity in deep conceptual understanding of science in comparison with conventional teaching model. In the present experiment quasi experimental and post-test research design is implemented. Totally 80 students participate in the study: 40 girls and 40 boys. The sample is categorized into two: study and the control group. Each group consists of 40 students: 20 boys and 20 girls. The study group is taught “Gases Law” by using experiential learning activities and the control is taught by using the conventional method. Data is collected by using a questionnaire and it consists of 20 multiple choice questions. The collected data is analyzed by using descriptive statistics. The examination of the data illustrates that there is no noteworthy difference in the mean score between the study group and the control group. Independent ‘t-test’ is applied to compare the student’s achievement in post-test. The mean score of the study group, who are exposed to the experiential learning activities, in Science Achievement post-test is 17.35. It is higher than that of (t=6.65; p&gt;0.01) the learners in the control group. The mean of the control group is 14.45. Therefore, it is concluded that the experiential learning activities as a teaching model enhances the deep conceptual understanding of science.

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