Selection and Validation of Chemotherapy Beneficiaries among Elderly Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) Patients Treated with Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT): A Large Real-World Study

Purpose: Using real-world evidence, this study aimed to identify elderly nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients who would benefit from chemotherapy.Methods and Materials: 1,714 elderly NPC patients between April 2007 and December 2017 were identified. Recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) was used to generate risk-stratified outcomes. Prognostic factors were performed for individual comparisons of different risk groups to assess chemotherapy benefits.Results: The median follow-up was 59.3 (0.39-170.09) months. Epstein Barr virus (EBV) DNA and T stage were included in the RPA-generated risk stratification, categorizing patients into a good-prognosis group (EBV DNA ≤ 4,000 copies/mL & T1-2), and a poor-prognosis group (EBV DNA ≤ 4,000 copies/mL & T3-4 and EBV DNA > 4,000 copies/mL & any T). Over survival (OS) was significantly higher in the good-prognosis group compared with the training set (HR = 0.309, 95% CI = 0.184-0.517; P < 0.001), and validated in the testing set (HR = 0.276, 95% CI = 0.113-0.670; P = 0.002). In the poor-prognosis group, a significantly improved OS for chemoradiotherapy (CRT) compared with RT alone was observed (HR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.55-0.88; P = 0.003). Patients who received induction chemotherapy (IC) + concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and CCRT had a significantly improved OS compared with RT alone (IC+CCRT vs. RT alone: P = 0.002; CCRT vs. RT alone: P = 0.008) but not in the IC+RT group (P = 0.306). The 5-year OS for CRT vs. RT-alone with ACE-27 scores of 0, 1 and 2 were 76.0% vs. 70.0% (P = 0.014), 80.5% vs. 68.2% (P = 0.150) and 58.5% vs. 62.2% (P = 0.490), respectively; for those aged 60-64, 65-70 and ≥70 years old they were 80.9% vs. 75.9% (P = 0.068), 73.3% vs. 63.4% (P = 0.270) and 64.8% vs. 67.1% (P = 0.820), respectively.Conclusions: For elderly NPC patients a simple screening cutoff for chemotherapy beneficiaries might be EBV DNA＜4000 copies/ml & T3-4 and EBV DNA ≥4000 copies/ml & any T, but not for those >70 years old and with an ACE-27 score > 1. IC+CCRT and CCRT were effective forms of chemotherapy.

Predictive Value of MPV and Plasma NT-ProBNP Combined with the Simplified Geneva Scale for the Prognosis of Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Objective. To explore the predictive value of mean platelet volume (MPV) and plasma N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP) combined with a simplified Geneva scale for the prognosis of acute pulmonary embolism (APE). Methods. The clinical data of 68 patients with APE admitted to our hospital from October 2017 to October 2019 were collected. According to the prognosis, the patients were divided into a good prognosis group (n = 45) and a poor prognosis group (n = 23). The clinical data, laboratory clinical indexes, and simplified Geneva scale scores were recorded for the two groups. The risk factors of poor prognosis were analyzed by binary multivariate logistic regression analysis; the predictive ability of each index on the prognosis of patients with APE was analyzed by the ROC curve. Results. The incidences of deep vein thrombosis, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia in the poor prognosis group were higher than those in the good prognosis group ( P < 0.05 ). PLT, platelet distribution width (PDW), MPV, and plasma NT-ProBNP in the poor prognosis group were higher than those in the good prognosis group ( P < 0.05 ). The simplified Geneva scale score of the poor prognosis group was higher than that of the good prognosis group ( P < 0.05 ). PDW, MPV, plasma NT-ProBNP, and simplified Geneva scale were all independent risk factors for the poor prognosis of APE patients ( P < 0.05 ). The AUC of MPV in predicting the prognosis of APE patients was 0.818 (95% CI: 0.712–0.925). When the optimal cutoff value was 0.571, the sensitivity was 77.1%, and the specificity was 80.0%. The AUC of plasma NT-ProBNP in predicting the prognosis of APE patients was 0.762 (95% CI: 0.634–0.891). When the optimal cutoff value was 0.475, the sensitivity was 71.5%, and the specificity was 76.0%. The AUC of the simplified Geneva scale in predicting the prognosis of APE patients was 0.749 (95% CI: 0.618–0.879). When the optimal cutoff value was 0.469, the sensitivity was 82.9%, and the specificity was 64.0%. The AUC of MPV and plasma NT-ProBNP combined with the simplified Geneva scale in predicting the prognosis of APE patients was 0.907 (95% CI: 0.826–0.988). When the optimal cutoff value was 0.726, the sensitivity was 88.6%, and the specificity was 84.0%. Conclusion. MPV, plasma NT-ProBNP, and simplified Geneva scale have a certain predictive value for the prognosis of APE. Compared with a single index, the combination of the three indexes has a significant improvement in predicting the prognosis of APE and has better clinical value.

Application of CEEMD noise reduction algorithm in ultrasound imaging in evaluating fetuses with abnormal glucose metabolism in late pregnancy

Objectives: To explore the predictive effect of abnormal glucose metabolism and fetal hemodynamic parameters on adverse pregnancy outcome. Methods: One hundred and nine pregnant women with abnormal glucose metabolism during pregnancy from June 2016 to October 2018 were selected and divided into poor prognosis group (34 cases) and good prognosis group (75 cases). The hemodynamic parameters of fetal cerebral artery (MCA), umbilical artery (UA) and uterine artery of pregnancy (UT-A), including peak systolic velocity (s / D), resistance index (RI) and plasticity index (PI), were measured by color Doppler ultrasound. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of adverse pregnancy outcomes was drawn and the best threshold index was determined. Results: MCA-PI poor prognosis group, MCA-RI, RI ratio (MCA/UA) are lower than the good prognosis group, Ut-A-PI is higher than the good prognosis group (P<0.05,). ROC curve analysis results show that when the MCA-PI 1.56, the sensitivity of the predicted adverse outcomes of pregnancy, the highest specificity<, was 91.18%, 80.00%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis of risk factors shows poor pregnancy outcomes include: pregnant women, older age, body mass index ≥24.0kg/m2 and a family history of diabetes. Protective factors include exercise during pregnancy, MCA-PI≥1.56, MCA-RI≥0.63 and RI The ratio (MCA/UA) ≥0.84. Conclusion: Color Doppler ultrasound measured MCA-PI<1.56 the most important indicators of poor pregnancy outcomes as abnormal glucose metabolism during pregnancy and predict the exact cutoff. Pregnant women, older age, body mass index ≥24.0kg/m2 and a family history of diabetes and abnormal glucose metabolism during pregnancy risk factors for adverse outcomes of pregnancy. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.6-WIT.4844 How to cite this:Huang J, Wang C, Li X, Jing Y. Application of CEEMD noise reduction algorithm in ultrasound imaging in evaluating fetuses with abnormal glucose metabolism in late pregnancy. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(6):1590-1594. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.6-WIT.4844 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.

The prognosis prediction significance of Hounsfield unit value for stroke patients treated by intravenous thrombolysis

Background Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is a rapid and effective treatment in the early stage of ischemic stroke patients and the purpose of this work is to explore the significance of Hounsfield unit (HU) value in Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) for predicting the clinical prognosis of stroke patients with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) treated by IVT. Methods The 84 stroke patients with MCAO treated by IVT were divided into good prognosis group (48 cases) and poor prognosis group (36 cases). HU ratio and HU difference calculated from non-contrast computed tomography between groups were analyzed. Results The HU ratio of good prognosis group was higher than that in poor prognosis group and the HU difference of good prognosis group was lower than that in poor prognosis group (P < 0.05). The HU ratio and ASPECTS were negatively correlated with the infarct volume, and the HU difference was positively correlated with the infarct volume (P < 0.05). HU difference was an independent risk factor for prognosis of patients with MCAO treated by IVT. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of HU ratio and HU difference for prognosis was 0.743 and 0.833 respectively. Conclusion The HU value changes are related to the clinical prognosis of stroke patients with MCAO treated by IVT, HU value may be a prognostic indicator for stroke patients with MCAO treated by IVT.

Role of Diffusion Tensor Imaging Combined with Neuron-Specific Enolase and S100 calcium-binding protein B Detection in Predicting the Prognosis of Moderate and Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) seriously affects the quality of life of patients. The present study evaluated the role of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) combined with Neuron-Specific Enolase (NSE) and S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) protein in predicting the prognosis of moderate and severe TBI. Methods The TBI patients were divided into moderate TBI (TBIm) and severe TBI (TBIs) groups according to the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) after admission. The patients were then divided into good and poor prognosis groups according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS); moreover, their follow-ups were recorded at 3 and 6 months after injury. This study also included 65 healthy individuals with matched age and gender as the control group. The fractional anisotropy (FA) values of DTI, serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and S100B protein levels were detected in this study. The data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 22.0) to evaluate the role of DTI combined with NSE and S100B protein in predicting the prognosis in TBIm and TBIs. Results: After TBI, the FA values of DTI in the TBI group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05); moreover, the serum NSE and S100B values in the TBI group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). In the TBIm patients, the FA values of the corpus callosum in the good prognosis group were higher than that in the poor prognosis group (P<0.05); however, there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the FA values of the internal capsule and the cerebral peduncle (P>0.05). The serum levels of NSE and S100B in the good prognosis group were significantly lower than those in the poor prognosis group (P<0.05). In the TBIs patients, the FA value of all areas in the good prognosis group was significantly higher than that in the poor prognosis group (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the two prognosis groups regarding the serum levels of NSE and S100B (P>0.05). Conclusion Although DTI combined with NSE and S100B protein can effectively predict the prognosis of patients with moderate and severe TBI in the early stages, various other measures have been used in the studies to predict the prognosis of TBI patients. Accordingly, comparison with other measures is essential in further studies.

Plasma Resolvin D2 to Leukotriene B4 Ratio Is Reduced in Diabetic Patients with Ischemic Stroke and Related to Prognosis

Background. Diabetes mellitus (DM) aggravates symptoms and prognosis of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), and inflammation plays an important role therein. Resolvin D2 (RvD2) is one of the specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), while leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a classic proinflammatory mediator. The ratio of RvD2 to LTB4 is an index of pro-resolving/proinflammatory balance. We aim to explore the role of RvD2/LTB4 ratio in ischemic stroke complicated with DM. Methods. The plasma levels of RvD2 and LTB4 were analyzed by enzyme immunoassay in stroke patients with DM (DM + AIS group) or without DM (nonDM+AIS group). Patients were followed up at 90 days after stroke onset, and modified Rankin Score (mRS) was assessed. The association of RvD2/LTB4 ratio with stroke severity and prognosis was also analyzed. Results. The plasma levels of RvD2 were positively correlated to LTB4. The RvD2/LTB4 ratio in DM + AIS group was lower than that in the nonDM+AIS group. No correlation was found between the RvD2/LTB4 ratio and infarct size or NIHSS score. The RvD2/LTB4 ratio at baseline was significantly lower in the poor prognosis group ( mRS ≥ 3 ) than that in the good prognosis group ( mRS ≤ 2 ). Conclusions. Our study indicated that the balance between pro-resolving and proinflammatory mediators was impaired by diabetes in ischemic stroke. The RvD2/LTB4 ratio may serve as a biomarker of prognosis for ischemic stroke.

The prognosis prediction significance of Hounsfield unit value for stroke patients treated by intravenous thrombolysis

Background: Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is a rapid and effective treatment in the early stage of ischemic stroke patients and the purpose of this work is to explore the significance of Hounsfield unit(HU) value in Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) for predicting the clinical prognosis of stroke patients with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) treated by IVT. Methods: The 84 stroke patients with MCAO treated by IVT were divided into good prognosis group (48 cases) and poor prognosis group (36 cases). HU ratio and HU difference calculated from non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) between groups were analyzed. Results: The HU ratio of good prognosis group was higher than that in poor prognosis group and the HU difference of good prognosis group was lower than that in poor prognosis group (P＜0.05). The HU ratio was negatively correlated with the infarct volume, and the HU difference was positively correlated with the infarct volume (P＜0.05). HU difference was an independent risk factor for prognosis of patients with MCAO treated by IVT. The area under the curve (AUC) of HU ratio and HU difference for prognosis was 0.743 and 0.833 respectively (P＜0.05). Conclusion: The HU value changes are related to the clinical prognosis of stroke patients with MCAO treated by IVT, HU value may be a prognostic indicator for stroke patients with MCAO treated by IVT.

Clinical prediction for outcomes of patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure associated with HBV infection: A new model establishment

ObjectiveThe acute-on-chronic liver failure associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV-ACLF) was a type of clinical syndrome with rapid deterioration of liver function. It was characterized by short-term elevated bilirubin, ascites, prolonged clotting time, hepatic encephalopathy, organ failures, and high short-term mortality. It was important to predict and evaluate the disease early. This study intended to comprehensively analyze the prognostic factors of patients with ACLF associated with HBV DNA infection through clinical manifestations and laboratory tests, and to establish a corresponding prediction and evaluation model for further clinical guidance.MethodsA total of 220 patients were first diagnosed with HBV-ACLF and admitted to and treated at the Department of Infectious Diseases of the First Affiliated Changhai Hospital of the Second Military Medical University from 2009 to 2018. These patients’ records were collected and divided into two groups: (1) 120 patients who were improved and discharged were classified as good prognosis group and (2) 100 patients who died or underwent liver transplantation were classified as poor prognosis group. By analyzing baseline characteristics and clinical indicators of the two groups, the main potential factors affecting prognosis were identified and the corresponding prognostic evaluation model was established. This model’s advantages and disadvantages were compared with classic prognostic scoring systems.ResultsThe proportion of ascites and the proportion of hepatic encephalopathy of poor prognosis group were significantly higher than those of good prognosis group. The total bilirubin, creatinine, white blood cell count, and NEU (%) levels of poor prognosis group were significantly higher than those of good prognosis group, and the international normalized ratio, albumin (ALB), alanine aminotransferase, Na, Cl, RBC, and PLT levels of poor prognosis group were significantly lower than those of good prognosis group. A new prediction model LR(p) = 1/(1 + e−Z) was established, where z = 10.0127 + 0.3687 × NEUT (%) − 0.0082 × PLT + 1.8157 × hepatic encephalopathy. The area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.89, specificity was 80.83%, and sensitivity was 81%. The newly established prognostic model was compared with other three scoring systems including model for end-stage liver disease (MELD), MELD-Na, and ALBI scores. The results showed that the specificity, sensitivity, and area under the ROC curve of the newly established model were significantly higher than the other three scoring systems.ConclusionHepatic encephalopathy, NEU (%), and PLT levels were independent risk factors for predicting the prognosis of HBV-ACLF. The new prediction model LR(p) had better prediction accuracy than the other three scoring models of MELD, MELD-Na, and ALBI and could more accurately assess the prognosis of HBV-ACLF, but in the later stage, it was still necessary to expand the sample size for verification.

Research on the Correlation of Serum PCT and Plasma GSN Levels with the Prognosis of Urosepsis Patients

Objective: To explore the correlation of procalcitonin (PCT) and gelsolin (GSN) with the prognosis of urosepsis patients. Method: The data of 71 urosepsis patients from March 2015 to April 2019 who were admitted to and treated in Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University were analyzed and compared with those of 92 healthy persons. Serum PCT and plasma GSN levels at different times after treatment were detected. According to prognosis, patients were classified into the good prognosis group or the poor prognosis group. The serum PCT and plasma GSN levels of both groups were compared. Result: The serum PCT level of the urosepsis group on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th days was obviously higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). The plasma GSN levels of the urosepsis group on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th days were obviously lower than those of the control group (P<0.05).The serum PCT level of the poor prognosis group on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th days was obviously higher than that of the good prognosis group (P<0.05). The plasma GSN level of the poor prognosis group on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th days was obviously lower than that of the good prognosis group (P<0.05). PCT was an independent risk factor influencing the prognosis of urosepsis patients and that GSN was a protective factor (P<0.05). Conclusion: The serum PCT and plasma GSN levels can accurately predict the severity and prognosis of urosepsis patients and reflect the disease state of early urosepsis patients. High PCT levels and low GSN levels indicate poor prognosis, and clinicians should consider these values. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.5.2143 How to cite this:Cui N, Yu Z, Chen Z, Chen N. Research on the Correlation of Serum PCT and Plasma GSN Levels with the Prognosis of Urosepsis Patients. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(5):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.5.2143 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.

Outcome of patients with chlorpyrifos intoxication

Introduction: There is a paucity of literature analyzing outcome of chlorpyrifos intoxication. Methods: A total of 40 patients with chlorpyrifos intoxication were seen at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between 2008 and 2017. Patients were stratified into two subgroups according to their prognosis, as good ( n = 12) or poor ( n = 28). Good prognosis group were defined as patients who survived without serious complications, and poor prognosis group included patients who died and survived after development of severe complications. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and mortality data were obtained for analysis. Results: Patients aged 53.8 ± 16.3 years and most were male (80.0%). All patients (100.0%) developed acute cholinergic crisis such as emesis (45.0%), respiratory failure (42.5%), tachycardia (30.0%), kidney injury (22.5%), and seizure (7.5%). Intermediate syndrome developed in 12.5% of patients, but none had delayed neuropathy (0%). The poor prognosis group suffered higher incidences of respiratory failure ( p = 0.011), kidney injury ( p = 0.026), and prolonged corrected QT interval ( p = 0.000), and they had higher blood urea nitrogen level ( p = 0.041), lower Glasgow coma scale score ( p = 0.011), and lower monocyte count ( p = 0.023) than good prognosis group. All patients were treated with atropine and pralidoxime therapy, but six patients (15.0%) still died of intoxication. In a multivariate logistic regression model, blood urea nitrogen was a significant risk factor for poor prognosis (odds ratio: 1.375, 95% confidence interval: 1.001–1.889, p = 0.049). Nevertheless, no mortality risk factor could be identified. Conclusion: The mortality rate of patients with chlorpyrifos intoxication was 15.0%. Furthermore, acute cholinergic crisis, intermediate syndrome, and delayed neuropathy developed in 100.0%, 12.5%, and 0% of patients, respectively.