Comparison of the pre-treatment functional MRI metrics’ efficacy in predicting Locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma response to induction chemotherapy

Abstract Background Functional MRI (fMRI) parameters analysis has been proven to be a promising tool of predicting therapeutic response to induction chemotherapy (IC) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The study was designed to identify and compare the value of fMRI parameters in predicting early response to IC in patients with NPC. Methods This prospective study enrolled fifty-six consecutively NPC patients treated with IC from January 2021 to May 2021. Conventional diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI), intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) protocols were performed before and after IC. Parameters maps (ADC, MD, MK, Dslow, Dfast, PF, Ktrans, Ve and Kep) of the primary tumor were calculated by the Functool post-processing software. The participants were classified as responding group (RG) and non-responding group (NRG) according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1. The fMRI parameters were compared before and after IC and between RG with NRG. Logistic regression analysis and ROC were performed to further identify and compare the efficacy of the parameters. Results After IC, the mean values of ADC(p < 0.001), MD(p < 0.001), Dslow(p = 0.001), PF(p = 0.030) and Ve(p = 0.003) significantly increased, while MK(p < 0.001), Dfast(p = 0.009) and Kep(p = 0.003) values decreased dramatically, while no significant difference was detected in Ktrans(p = 0.130). Compared with NRG, ADC-pre(p < 0.001), MD-pre(p < 0.001) and Dslow-pre(p = 0.002) values in RG were lower, while MK-pre(p = 0.017) values were higher. The areas under the ROC curves for the ADC-pre, MD-pre, MK-pre, Dslow-pre and PRE were 0.885, 0.855, 0.809, 0.742 and 0.912, with the optimal cutoff value of 1210 × 10− 6 mm2/s, 1010 × 10− 6 mm2/s, 832 × 10− 6, 835 × 10− 6 mm2/s and 0.799 respectively. Conclusions The pretreatment conventional DWI (ADC), DKI (MD and MK), and IVIM (Dslow) values derived from fMRI showed a promising potential in predicting the response of the primary tumor to IC in NPC patients. Trial registration This study was approved by ethics board of the Chinese PLA General Hospital, and registered on January 30, 2021, in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100042863).

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Influence of Apical Patency and Cleaning of the Apical Foramen on Periapical Extrusion in Retreatment

Brazilian Dental Journal ◽

10.1590/0103-6440201302016 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 24 (5) ◽

pp. 482-486 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Marili Doro Andrade Deonizio ◽

Gilson Blitzkow Sydney ◽

Antonio Batista ◽

Roberto Pontarolo ◽

Paulo Ricardo Bittencourt Guimarães ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Material Removal ◽

Filling Material ◽

Mean Values ◽

Filtration System ◽

Root Canal Retreatment ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After ◽

The Mean ◽

The Difference ◽

Removal Technique

This study evaluated the influence of apical patency, root filling removal technique and cleaning of the apical foramen, concerning the amount of debris extruded during root canal retreatment. Forty mandibular incisors were randomly assigned to 4 groups - GIM (n=10), GIIM (n=10), GIPT (n=10) and GIIPT (n=10), which were named according to leaving (I) or not (II) apical patency during canal preparation and filling removal technique (manual - M or ProTaper system - PT). After filling material removal, each specimen of each group had the apical foramen cleaned by sizes 15, 20 and 25 instruments, generating 12 subgroups: GIM15, GIM20, GIM25, GIIM15, GIIM20, GIIM25, GIPT15, GIPT20, GIPT25, GIIPT15, GIIPT20 and GIIPT25. Extruded filling debris was collected by a Milipore filtration system, an HV-durapore, 0.45 µm pore filter with a 25 mm diameter. The filters were weighed before and after the collection on an analytical scale (10–5 g), and the difference was calculated. The mean weight of extruded filling debris was analyzed statistically by Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman ANOVA tests (α=0.05). The mean values found in the groups (in mg) were: GIM (0.95±0.94), GIIM (0.47±0.62), GIPT (0.30±0.31) and GIIPT (0.32±0.44). There was no statistically significant difference among any of the groups or subgroups (p>0.05). ProTaper provided the smallest amount of extruded filling material, regardless of presence or absence of apical patency, followed by manual technique, without and with apical patency. Additional amounts of debris were collected during cleaning of the apical foramen, regardless of the instrument, presence/absence of patency or root filling removal technique.

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The Primary Tumor and Regional Lymph Node Clinical Status of Distant Metastasis in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Hearing and Balance Medicine ◽

10.3390/ohbm1020009 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 9

Author(s):

Sagung Indrasari ◽

Kartono Sudarman ◽

Jessica Fedriani

Keyword(s):

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Lymph Node ◽

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ◽

Distant Metastasis ◽

Primary Tumor ◽

Retrospective Studies ◽

Regional Lymph Node ◽

Clinical Status ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a squamous cell carcinoma derived from nasopharyngeal epithelium. NPC characteristic is highly invasive and can metastasize rapidly. The presence of distant metastasis is a major factor in determining the patient’s management and prognosis. The magnitude of radiologic and molecular costs encouraging the need to know the clinical variables associated with distant metastasis of NPC. Methods: Cross-sectional analytical retrospective studies of undifferentiated NPC (WHO type III) patients at initial diagnosis in the ORL-HNS Department of Dr. Sardjito Hospital Yogyakarta from January 2014 to December 2016. Results: At 276 NPC patients with the ratio of 197 men (71.4%) and 79 women (28.6%) was 2.5:1, mean age 48.5 years, distant metastasis was found in 37 patients (13.4%). There was no significant difference in the frequency of sex (p = 0.346), age (p = 0.784), and primary tumor clinical status (p = 0.297) between NPC with distant metastasis and without distant metastasis. There was significant difference in the frequency of regional lymph node clinical status between NPC with distant metastasis and without distant metastasis (p = 0.004; PR = 3.866). Conclusions: There is no statistically significant difference of primary tumor clinical status between NPC with and without distant metastasis. There is statistically significant difference of lymph node clinical status between NPC with and without distant metastasis.

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Effect of whitening dentifrices on the surface roughness of a nanohybrid composite resin

European Journal of Dentistry ◽

10.4103/1305-7456.178305 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 10 (02) ◽

pp. 170-175 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Gabriela Migliorin da Rosa ◽

Luciana Mendonça da Silva ◽

Márcio de Menezes ◽

Hugo Felipe do Vale ◽

Diego Ferreira Regalado ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Surface Roughness ◽

Composite Resin ◽

Wilcoxon Test ◽

Control Group ◽

Mean Values ◽

Short Period ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After ◽

Nanohybrid Composite ◽

One Way Anova

ABSTRACT Objectives: The present study verified the influence of whitening dentifrices on the surface roughness of a nanohybrid composite resin. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two specimens were prepared with Filtek™ Z350 XT (3M/ESPE) and randomly divided into four groups (n = 08) that were subjected to brushing simulation equivalent to the period of 1 month. The groups assessed were a control group with distilled water (G1), Colgate Total 12 Professional Clean (G2), Sensodyne Extra Whitener Extra Fresh (G3), and Colgate Luminous White (G4). A sequence of 90 cycles was performed for all the samples. The initial roughness of each group was analyzed by the Surface Roughness Tester (TR 200-TIME Group Inc., CA, USA). After the brushing period, the final roughness was measured, and the results were statistically analyzed using nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn tests for intergroup roughness comparison in the time factor. For intragroup and “Δ Final − Initial” comparisons, the Wilcoxon test and (one-way) ANOVA were, respectively, performed (α = 0.05). Results: The roughness mean values before and after brushing showed no statistically significant difference when the different dentifrices were used. None of the dentifrices analyzed increased significantly the nanohybrid composite resin surface roughness in a 1 month of tooth brushing simulation. Conclusions: These results suggest that no hazardous effect on the roughness of nanohybrid composite resin can be expected when whitening dentifrices are used for a short period. Similar studies should be conducted to analyze other esthetic composite materials.

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Correlation between Psychosocial Distress and Quality of Life in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma following Radiotherapy

Journal of Oncology ◽

10.1155/2018/3625302 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-4 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Xiaolan Wang ◽

Yue Lv ◽

Wen Li ◽

Chen Gan ◽

Haijun Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Psychosocial Distress ◽

Time Points ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After ◽

The Relationship

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between psychosocial distress and quality of life (QOL) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after radiotherapy. Fifty-three patients with an initial diagnosis of NPC were enrolled in this study. The psychological Distress Thermometer (DT) and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head & Neck (FACT-H&N) were conducted before and after radiotherapy in NPC patients. We compared the differences in psychological distress and QOL before and after radiotherapy and analyzed the correlation between psychological distress and QOL after radiotherapy. The performance on the DT was 6.60 ± 1.42 and 2.81 ± 1.43 before and after chemotherapy, respectively, with a significant difference between the time points (t = -13.73,P< 0.01). The performance on the FACT-H&N was 68.30 ± 6.14 and 39.84 ± 6.14 before and after chemotherapy, respectively, with a significant difference between the time points (t = -19.9,P< 0.01). There was a significant negative correlation between the DT score and the FACT-H&N score (r = -3.64,P< 0.01). Patients with NPC experience different degrees of psychological distress, an important factor that affects quality of life, after radiotherapy.

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Clinical and Hematological Evaluation of Patients with Sickle Cell Anemia Before and After Four Years of Using Hydroxyurea

International Archives of Medicine ◽

10.3823/2469 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

Author(s):

Ieda Maria Gonçalves Pacce Bispo ◽

Maria Lúcia Ivo ◽

Valter Aragão do Nascimento ◽

Alexandra Maria Almeida Carvalho de Pinto ◽

Olinda Maria Rodrigues de Araújo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sickle Cell ◽

Sickle Cell Anemia ◽

Hematological Parameters ◽

Fetal Hemoglobin ◽

Hemoglobin Concentration ◽

Teaching Hospitals ◽

Acute Chest Syndrome ◽

Mean Values ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After

Objective: Evaluating clinical and hematological-clinical parameters of patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA) before and after four years of using hydroxyurea (HU). Method: A retrospective cohort study implementing a quantitative, descriptive and analytical approach developed in two public teaching hospitals located in the Central-West region of Brazil, from November 2010 to October 2011. Data collection was performed through medical records of 32 patients with SCA to assess clinical and hematological parameters before and after HU treatment. The study was approved by the UFMS Ethics Committee under protocol number 1890/2010. Results: All of the 32 patients were homozygous with a mean age in the prescription of hydroxyurea of 19.72±7.58 years, an initial dose of 15.59±4.27 mg/kg/day, and 22.48±5.35 mg/kg/day in the fourth year of treatment. Regarding the use of HU, average values of some hematological parameters presented a significant difference in the fourth year compared to the mean values prior to HU use, such as fetal hemoglobin (14.49±7.52%), red blood cells (2.54±0.38x1012/L), hematocrit (25.30±4.03%) and hemoglobin (9.22±3.34g/dL). Conclusion: Treatment with hydroxyurea showed a significant increase in fetal hemoglobin levels, increased hemoglobin, hematocrit and average corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, with reduced episodes of pain, infection and acute chest syndrome in such a way as to reaffirm its efficiency in treating these patients. Keywords: Hemoglobin; Sickle Cell Anemia; Hydroxyurea.

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Evaluation of the Results of Arthroscopic Release in Limits of Movement in Knees

Journal of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences ◽

10.18502/ssu.v27i9.2308 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Mohammad Reza Sobhan ◽

Seyed Hossein Saeed Banadaky ◽

Mohammad Shafiee ◽

Mohammad Gheisari

Keyword(s):

Statistical Tests ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Knee Score ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mean Values ◽

Arthroscopic Release ◽

Lysholm Knee Score ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After ◽

The Mean

Introduction: Limits of movement in knees is one of the most common complications following trauma and surgery. With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment choices, knee replacement and performance improvement are expected in many patients. However, limits of movement in knees is unpleasant and should be corrected as soon as possible. In this study, we decided to evaluate the results of arthroscopic release in motion limits of knees. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study.14 patients who referred to the Shahid Sadoughi Hospital of Yazd from 2014 to 2016 and diagnosed with knee limitation (flexion or extension restriction of more than 10 degrees) were selected. Patients were undergone arthroscopic release and followed-up for 6 months. Lysholm knee score, degrees of flexion and extension, and patient satisfaction were evaluated. The results were analyzed by SPSS-18 and statistical tests Paired T-test as well as Spearman correlation. Results: The mean age of the patients was 28.92±10.99 years. The most common type of trauma in the patients was femoral distal fracture (46.7%). The frequency of the patients' satisfaction with arthroscopy was as followed: 50% (7 patients), had moderate satisfaction, 28.6% (4 ones), high satisfaction, and 21.4% (3 ones) had low satisfaction.The mean difference in Lysholm Knee Score, improvement in degree of extension, improvement in degree of flexion and pain score before and after arthroscopy were 26.21±14.11,64.78±26.13,3.57±2.92 and 4.13±1.65,respectively.There was a significant difference between the mean values of these factors before and after arthroscopy. Conclusion: According to the results obtained, we can conclude that arthroscopic release is an effective and low-complication method in motion limits of knees.

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The Effect of Selected Corrective Exercises With Physioball on the Posture of Female Computer Users With Upper Crossed Syndrome

Journal of Sport Biomechanics ◽

10.32598/biomechanics.5.2.5 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 112-123

Author(s):

Fariba Javazi ◽

◽

Parisa Sedaghati ◽

Hasan Daneshmandi ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Exercise Program ◽

Exercise Group ◽

Computer Users ◽

Mean Values ◽

Significance Level ◽

Chest Expansion ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

And Control

Objective Upper Crossed Syndrome (UCS) is a type of musculoskeletal system involvement that results in shortening of anterior muscles and weakening of posterior muscles. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of selected corrective exercises with physioball on the postural status of female computer users with UCS. Methods This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 24 female students with UCS who were selected using a purposive sampling method. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups of exercise (n=12) and control (n=12). The exercise group performed exercises for 6 weeks. Photogrammetry method was used to measure the angle of the forward head and round shoulder. A flexible ruler was used to measure the angle of kyphosis, and tape measure was used to measure the chest expansion. These measurements were performed before and after intervention. The collected data were analyzed using paired t-test and ANOVA at the significance level of P<0.05. Results There was a significant difference in mean values of kyphosis (P=0.001), round shoulder (P=0.001), forward head (P=0.002) and chest expansion (P=0.003) before and after exercise. Conclusion Improvement in forward head, round shoulder and thoracic kyphosis angles and chest expansion showed the effectiveness of applied exercise program. Therefore, it is recommended to use this exercise program in computer users with UCS.

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Statin Treatment in the Acute Phase and the Risk of Post-stroke Pneumonia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Frontiers in Neurology ◽

10.3389/fneur.2021.635079 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Changling Li ◽

Mengmeng Ma ◽

Shuju Dong ◽

Ye Hong ◽

Jiajia Bao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Acute Phase ◽

Statin Treatment ◽

Clinical Trial Registry ◽

Clinical Trial Registration ◽

Pneumonia Severity ◽

Post Stroke ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After ◽

The Impact

Background: We aimed to investigate the impact of statin treatment in the acute phase on the risk and severity of post-stroke pneumonia because of the uncertain effects of statins on post-stroke pneumonia.Methods: Consecutive cases of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) between January 2014 and February 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Additionally, the association of statin treatment in the acute phase with the risk and severity of post-stroke pneumonia was estimated with logistic regression. We registered the present study in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR 2000032838).Results: Of the 1,258 enrolled patients, no significant difference was observed in post-stroke pneumonia risk between the two groups (with/without statin treatment in the acute phase) after propensity score matching (35.1 vs. 27.9%, p = 0.155). We did not find statin treatment in the acute phase to significantly increase the risk of post-stroke pneumonia both before and after matched analysis [odds ratio (OR) = 1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.85–2.67, p = 0.157; OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 0.77–3.18, p = 0.213, respectively]. In the 271 patients with post-stroke pneumonia, no significant difference was found in its severity between two groups (19.6 vs. 19.4%, p = 0.964). No significant association was found between statin treatment and post-stroke pneumonia severity (OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.39–2.31, p = 0.918).Conclusions: There appeared to be no additional benefits of statin treatment in the acute phase for post-stroke pneumonia reduction among AIS patients.Clinical Trial Registration:http://www.chictr.org.cn, identifier: ChiCTR2000032838.

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Prognostic value of age in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients: A single institution analysis

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2007.25.18_suppl.6080 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽

pp. 6080-6080

Author(s):

N. L. Downing ◽

P. Wong ◽

D. Petrik ◽

W. Hara ◽

Q. Le

Keyword(s):

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ◽

Treatment Outcomes ◽

Induction Chemotherapy ◽

Age Groups ◽

External Beam Radiation ◽

Definitive Treatment ◽

Single Institution ◽

Treatment Characteristics ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Two Age Groups

6080 Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has a bimodal age distribution with peaks at 15–25 and 40–50 years of age, though it is unclear if the prognosis differs significantly between the two age groups. Here, we compare treatment outcomes between two age groups of patients treated at a single institution. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 99 NPC patients who received definitive treatment at our institution between March 1985 and June 2004. All patients received a median dose of 66 Gy of external beam radiation therapy and 70% received either concurrent or induction chemotherapy. We compared patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics as well as treatment outcomes in juvenile patients (age = 25 years at diagnosis), versus adult patients (age > 25 years at diagnosis). Survival curves were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: There was a significant difference in the ethnic composition between the age groups, with more Asians and fewer Whites and Hispanics in the adult group (see table ). Also, there was a significant difference between the groups in the proportion of patients receiving chemotherapy, especially induction chemotherapy (see table ). There was no difference in the distribution of tumor stage and WHO histology between the two age groups. At a median follow-up for all patients of 42 months (range 4 to 234), there were no statistically significant differences in treatment outcomes between the two age groups although the survival data numerically favored the juvenile patients (see table ). Conclusions: Although there were significant differences in racial distributions and treatment characteristics between the two age groups, treatment outcomes were similar. Aggressive treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy resulted in excellent outcomes for both patient populations. No significant financial relationships to disclose. [Table: see text]

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