Coronavirus disease-2019 in cancer patients. A report of the first 25 cancer patients in a western country (Italy)

Background: We describe cancer patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection treated at the Piacenza’s general hospital (north Italy). Materials & methods: 25 cancer patients infected by COVID-19 admitted at the Piacenza’s general hospital from 21 February to 18 March 2020. Outcome from the infection were compared with infected noncancer patients. Results: 20 patients (80%) were treated with antiviral therapy and hydroxychloroquine and five (20%) received hydroxychloroquine alone. Nine (36%) patients died, while 16 (64%) overcome the infection. In the control group the mortality was 16.13% and the overcome from infection was 83.87%. Conclusion: Mortality for COVID-19 was greater in cancer patients when compared with noncancer patients, worse prognosis for older age, women and patients treated with hydroxychloroquine alone. However, the comparisons did not reach statistical significance in most cases. This could be due to the small sample size that is the main limitation of the study.

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The impact of visual impairment on nutritional status: A systematic review

British Journal of Visual Impairment ◽

10.1177/0264619617730860 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

pp. 17-30 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Nabila Jones ◽

Hannah Bartlett

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Status ◽

Visual Impairment ◽

Sample Size ◽

Visually Impaired ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Small Sample ◽

Control Group ◽

Visually Impaired People ◽

Impaired People ◽

The Impact

The aim of this review was to evaluate the literature that has investigated the impact of visual impairment on nutritional status. We identified relevant articles through a multi-staged systematic approach. Fourteen articles were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. The sample size of the studies ranged from 9 to 761 participants. It was found that visual impairment significantly affects nutritional status. The studies reported that visually impaired people have an abnormal body mass index (BMI); a higher prevalence of obesity and malnutrition was reported. Visually impaired people find it difficult to shop for, eat, and prepare meals. Most studies had a small sample size, and some studies did not include a study control group for comparison. The limitations of these studies suggest that the findings are not conclusive enough to hold true for only those who are visually impaired. Further studies with a larger sample size are required with the aim of developing interventions.

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Acupuncture for Chronic Pain-Related Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2019/5381028 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Fushui Liu ◽

Jianyu You ◽

Qi Li ◽

Ting Fang ◽

Mei Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Pain ◽

Sample Size ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Sham Acupuncture ◽

Small Sample ◽

Control Group ◽

Large Sample Size ◽

Cure Rate ◽

Significant Difference

Objectives. Acupuncture has been widely used to relieve chronic pain-related insomnia (CPRI). However, the efficacy of acupuncture for CPRI is uncertain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture for CPRI. Methods. Seven electronic databases were searched from inception to December 2018. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included if acupuncture was compared to sham acupuncture or conventional drug therapies for treating CPRI. Two reviewers screened each study and extracted data independently. Statistical analyses were conducted by RevMan 5.3 software. Results. A total of nine studies involving 944 patients were enrolled. The pooled analysis indicated that acupuncture treatment was significantly better than control group in improving effective rate (OR = 8.09, 95%CI = [4.75, 13.79], P < 0.00001) and cure rate (OR = 3.17, 95%CI = [2.35, 4.29], P < 0.00001), but subgroup analysis showed that there was no statistically significant difference between acupuncture and sham acupuncture in improving cure rate (OR =10.36, 95% CI [0.53, 201.45], P=0.12) based on one included study. In addition, meta-analysis demonstrated that acupuncture group was superior to control group in debasing PSQI score (MD = -2.65, 95%CI = [-4.00, -1.30], P = 0.0001) and VAS score (MD = -1.44, 95%CI = [-1.58, -1.29], P < 0.00001). And there was no significant difference in adverse events (OR =1.73, 95%CI = [0.92, 3.25], P =0.09) between the two groups. Conclusions. Acupuncture therapy is an effective and safe treatment for CPRI, and this treatment can be recommended for the management of patients with CPRI. Due to the low quality and small sample size of the included studies, more rigorously designed RCTs with high quality and large sample size are recommended in future.

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Quantifying prehistoric physiological stress using the TCA method:

Documenta Praehistorica ◽

10.4312/dp.46-17 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 46 ◽

pp. 284-295

Author(s):

Kristina Penezić ◽

Marko Porčić ◽

Jelena Jovanović ◽

Petra Kathrin Urban ◽

Ursula Wittwer-Backofen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sample Size ◽

Calcium Metabolism ◽

Physiological Stress ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Small Sample ◽

Way Of Life

The Neolithic way of life was accompanied by an increase in various forms of physiological stress (e.g. disease, malnutrition). Here we use the method of tooth cementum annulation (TCA) analysis in order to detect physiological stress that is probably related to calcium metabolism. The TCA method is applied to a sample of teeth from three Mesolithic and five Neolithic individuals from the Central Balkans. The average number of physiological stress episodes is higher in the Neolithic group – but the statistical significance of this result cannot be evaluated due to the small sample size, therefore these results should be taken as preliminary.

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Effectiveness of online versus live multi-family psychoeducation group therapy for children and adolescents with mood or anxiety disorders: a pilot study

International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health ◽

10.1515/ijamh-2016-0069 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Iman Sapru ◽

Sarosh Khalid-Khan ◽

Elaine Choi ◽

Nazanin Alavi ◽

Archana Patel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Anxiety Disorder ◽

Group Therapy ◽

Anxiety Disorders ◽

Sample Size ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Relative Effectiveness ◽

Small Sample ◽

Rank Test ◽

Family Psychoeducation

Abstract Objective: [1] To highlight the effectiveness of multi-family psychoeducation group therapy (MFPGT) in children with mood or anxiety disorders; [2] to measure change in knowledge and awareness of mood and anxiety disorders in families and children; and [3] to compare the relative effectiveness of online compared to live MFPGT. Method: Participants included families of children (12 years or younger) referred with a mood or anxiety disorder to the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Queen’s University (n=16) who were on a waitlist to see a psychiatrist. Change was measured through questionnaires for all parents before and after the program. Using SPSS v22, comparisons between the online (n=6) and live (n=10) groups were made using the Mann-Whitney U test and within group comparisons were made using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: The online and live education groups showed similar overall improvements in knowledge acquisition and expressed emotion in participating families. However, statistical significance must be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size. Conclusions: Online MFPGT may be an effective way to increase knowledge, provide resources and support and build on skills thus giving individuals more control and confidence when dealing with a mood or anxiety disorder while on a waitlist. MFPGT showed equal efficacy in live and online groups, indicating that the online program has the potential to be a more convenient and accessible program for families. More research is needed with a greater sample size.

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EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ONDANSETRON IN TREATING THE VOMMITING FOR CHILDREN < 5 YEARS OLD WITH ACUTE GASTROENTERITIS AT PEDIATRICS DEPARTMENT, HUE CENTRAL HOSPITAL

Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy ◽

10.34071/jmp.2011.1.12 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 88-95

Author(s):

Thi Cu Nguyen ◽

Dinh Thai Uong

Keyword(s):

Sample Size ◽

Acute Gastroenteritis ◽

Oral Fluid ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Treatment Plan ◽

Small Sample ◽

Primary Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Central Hospital

Background: To control the vommit symptom give more successful and easier to oral fluid infusion, reduce the cost and work if using IV infusion. All over the world there are many studies on using Ondansetron for vommint preventing in gastroenteritis in children and show the effectiveness and safety. At Hue, Ondansetron mainly use for vommit preventing for children patients treated by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. There was no study about using Ondansetron to vommit preventing and treating for children patients with acute gastroenteritis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Ondansetron in vommit treating for children with acute gastroenteritis. Population and study methods: children from 6 mths to 5yrs with acute gastroenteritis at Pediatric department of Hue Central Hospital. Using the method of clinical intervention with control group. 2 groups had the similarity of age, gender, onset duration of vommit, dehydration situation. Sample size: 86 children in control group and 41 children for study group. Study group with intervention) : only one shoot Ondansetron 0,2mg/kg + treatment plan fordedration + Zinc suppement as IMCI guidelines. Control group: treating by treatment plan for dehydration + Zinc suppement as IMCI guidelines. Both two groups will follow up about the situation of vommit, watery stools and the amount of ORS, the amount of IV fluid. Result: The rate of patient without vommit in the time from intervention to hospital discharge: Group having Ondansetron was 56,1% in comparision with 5,8% in control group (p<0,01). The study group had the rate of patient with vommit ≥ 3 times was 7,3% lower than the rate of 54,7% in control group (p < 0,05). The avarage time of vommit in control group was higher than study group (0,71 ± 0,96 vs 2,45 ± 1,12, p<0,05). The rate of patiend need IV infusion in study group was 9,8%, control group was 37,2% (p < 0,05; RR = 0,33). Conclusion: In our study, Ondansetron had good result in vommit treating for children with acute gastroenteritis. It help to reduce vommit symptom, made patients easier in oral fluid and electrolyte providing, limited the IV fluid. We followed up carefully but it’s still no see the the side effects in patients having Ondansetron injection. However, it was just the primary study with small sample size and need more studies to evaluate accurately the effectiveness of Ondansetron in patients with acute gastroenteritis.

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Association of losartan use with outcomes in metastatic pancreatic cancer patients treated with chemotherapy.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2020.38.15_suppl.e16738 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. e16738-e16738

Author(s):

Jessica Allen ◽

Kathan Mehta ◽

Shrikant Anant ◽

Prasad Dandawate ◽

Anwaar Saeed ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Small Sample Size ◽

Metastatic Cancer ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Objective Response ◽

Locally Advanced ◽

Small Sample ◽

Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽

Control Group ◽

100Mg Dose ◽

Significant Difference

e16738 Background: A phase II trial has shown improved efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy when combined with losartan (by remodeling desmoplasia) in locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA). However, role of losartan is unknown in metastatic PDA. We examined the relationship between the use of the angiotensin II receptor antagonist, losartan, at time of diagnosis with clinical outcomes in metastatic PDA pts that received chemo. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 114 metastatic PDA pts treated at our center between Jan 2000 and Nov 2019. We compared OS, PFS, objective response rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR) between pts using losartan at time of cancer diagnosis and a control group of pts not on losartan. A subanalysis was performed based on losartan dose: 100mg dose versus control pts. and based on chemo: FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine+abraxane. Results: Table shows baseline demographics. No significant difference was found in OS [p = 0.455] or PFS [p = 0.919] in pts on losartan (median 274d, 83d) vs control (median 279d, 111d) [p = 0.466]. No significant difference was found in ORR [p = 0.621] or in DCR [p = 0.497]. No significant difference was found in OS [p = 0.771] or PFS [p = 0.064] in losartan pts (median 347d, 350d) vs control (median 333d, 101d) treated with FOLFIRINOX. No significant difference was found in OS [p = 0.916] or PFS [p = 0.341] in losartan (median 312d, 69d) vs control (median 221d, 136d) [p = 0.916] treated with gemcitabine+abraxane. No significant difference was found in OS [p = 0.727] or PFS [p = 0.790] in 100mg losartan pts (median 261d, 84d) vs control (median 279d, 111d). Conclusions: Pts on losartan at time of diagnosis had no significant difference in OS, PFS, ORR, DCR than control pts. However, a subanalysis of pts treated with FOLFIRINOX revealed a longer PFS with losartan than control but did not meet statistical significance, likely due to small sample size. To confirm if the benefit of losartan + FOLFIRINOX seen in neoadjuvant setting for locally advanced cancer also applies to metastatic cancer, our findings need to be validated in a larger cohort. [Table: see text]

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Effect of Expanded Hemodialysis with Theranova® in Patients with COVID-19

Blood Purification ◽

10.1159/000520891 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

María Luisa Serrano Salazar ◽

Jose Portolés ◽

Maria de Valdenebro Recio ◽

Silvia Rosado Garcia ◽

Maria del Rosario Llópez Carratalá ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Small Sample Size ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Immunosuppressive Treatment ◽

Kidney Injury ◽

Small Sample ◽

Control Group ◽

Β2 Microglobulin ◽

Cytokine Levels ◽

To Come ◽

And Control

Introduction: Cytokine storm control is the main target for improving severe COVID-19 by using immunosuppressive treatment. Effective renal replacement therapy (RRT) could give us an advantage removing cytokines in patients with RRT requirements superimposed on COVID-19. Methods: This is a prospective observational study in COVID-19 patients who required hemodialysis (HD). Patients were assigned to online hemodiafiltration (OL-HDF) and expanded HD (HDx) according to Brescia group recommendations. We measured several cytokines, β2 microglobulin and albumin levels pre/post-dialysis and on 1st–2nd week. We compared levels among both techniques and control group (HD without COVID-19). Results: We included 26 patients: 18 with COVID-19 on RRT (5 of them had acute kidney injury [AKI]) and 8 controls. We confirm higher cytokine levels in COVID-19 patients than controls and even higher in patients with AKI than in those with chronic kidney disease. Most cytokines raised during HD session, except IL-10 and TNFα. IL-10 was eliminated by any dialysis technique, while clearance of TNFα was higher in the HDx group. HDx achieved a deeper normalization of cytokines and β2 microglobulin reduction. Mortality was higher in the OL-HDF group than the HDx group. Discussion: Not all cytokines behave equally along HD session. The following characteristics should be taken into account, such as intrinsic kinetic profile during a HD session. HDx seems to get better performance, probably due to the combination of different factors; however, we did not reach statistical significance due to the small sample size, dropout, and reduction of AKI incidence during the 2nd pandemic wave. Conclusion: HDx appears to provide better clearance for TNFα and β2 microglobulin during HD session and associates lower mortality. We propose the HDx technique for COVID-19 patients with RRT requirements since it seems to be safe and more effective than OL-HDF. Further studies are still needed, but we hope that our preliminary data may help us in future pandemic waves of SARS-CoV-2 or other viruses still to come.

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Abstract P173: Physical Activity In Relation To Fasting And Post-meal Blood Glucose In Pregnant Women With Diabetes

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.143.suppl_1.p173 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 143 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Kimberly L Savin ◽

Linda C Gallo ◽

Britta A Larsen

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Blood Glucose ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Sample Size ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Small Sample ◽

Effect Sizes ◽

Individual Effects

Introduction: Pregnant women with diabetes often show low levels of physical activity (PA) and high sedentary behavior (SED). Longitudinal studies with objective measures are needed to understand the relationships of daily PA with daily and next-day blood glucose (BG). Hypothesis: Increased steps or moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) and decreased SED are linked with lower post-meal BG and next day fasting BG in pregnant women. Methods: Participants were 10 pregnant women with diabetes [mean age= 29.3 (SD= 3.6); mean gestational age= 21.9 (SD= 3.9); 90% (9 of 10) Latina] enrolled in a 12-week pilot PA intervention. Participants self-reported demographic and BG data (morning fasting BG, up to 3 daily post-meal BGs). Steps, MVPA (mins/day), and SED (mins/day) were measured using a Fitbit Alta HR. Participants had on average 49 (range: 21 to 77) days with valid PA and BG data, for a total of 469 observations. Multi-level models (MLMs) were fit to examine mean and day-level effects of steps, MVPA, and SED on post-meal and next-day fasting BG after adjusting for age, gestational age, education, and participant mean PA or SED. Due to the small sample size, effect sizes are emphasized in results instead of statistical significance. Results: The mean post-meal BG was 122.5 mg/dL and mean fasting BG was 92.81 mg/dL. After adjustment, an increase of mean steps by 1000 was linked to a lower mean post-meal BG by 11.79 mg/dL (p=0.22) and fasting BG by 7.26 mg/dL (p=0.54), though neither between effect was statistically significant. The within-individual effects of daily steps on post-meal and fasting BG were very small and non-significant (b=-1.78; p=0.59; b=0.72; p=0.30, respectively). A 1-minute increase in mean MVPA was associated with a slight increase in mean post-meal BG by 1.53 mg/dL (p=0.07). The within-individual effect of daily MVPA on daily post-meal BG was negligible and non-significant (b=-0.39, p=0.51). Between-individual effects showed SED had small, positive, non-significant associations with post-meal BG. Specifically, per 60-minute mean SED increase, mean post-meal BG increased by 1.02 mg/dL (p=0.44). Within-individual daily SED increases of 60 minutes were associated with increases of 1.87 mg/dL (p=0.63) in daily post-meal BG. MVPA and SED were not associated with fasting BG. Conclusions: Greater mean steps were linked to lower post-meal and fasting BG while greater SED and MVPA were linked to greater post-meal BG. However, within individual daily increases in MVPA and decreases in SED, were protective for post-meal BG, while controlling for individual mean MVPA and SED. Most effect sizes were small and results were not statistically significant in part due to the small sample size. Participants generally had well-controlled post-meal and fasting BGs, so results may not be generalizable to larger populations.

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The Effect of Topical Application of Royal Jelly on Chemoradiotherapy-Induced Mucositis in Head and Neck Cancer: A Preliminary Study

International Journal of Otolaryngology ◽

10.1155/2014/974967 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Kohichi Yamauchi ◽

Yasunao Kogashiwa ◽

Yorihisa Moro ◽

Naoyuki Kohno

Keyword(s):

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Royal Jelly ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Small Sample ◽

Control Group ◽

Clinical Scoring ◽

Prophylactic Use

Purpose. One of the common side effects experienced by head and neck cancer patients on chemoradiotherapy is mucositis. Severe mucositis may be controllable by limiting cancer therapy, but it has resulted in decreasing the completion rate of chemoradiotherapy. The efficacy of royal jelly (RJ) as prophylaxis against chemoradiotherapy-induced mucositis was evaluated through clinical scoring of oral and pharyngeal mucositis.Methods. In this randomized, single-blind (physician-blind), clinical trial, 13 patients with head and neck cancer requiring chemoradiation were randomly assigned to two groups. Seven patients assigned to the study group received RJ, and 6 patients were assigned to the control group. RJ group patients took RJ three times per day during treatment. The patients in both groups were evaluated twice a week for the development of mucositis using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0.Results. A significant reduction in mucositis was seen among RJ-treated patients compared with controls (P<0.001).Conclusion. This study demonstrated that prophylactic use of RJ was effective in reducing mucositis induced by chemoradiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients. However, further studies are needed because of the small sample size and the absence of double blinding.

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