The economic burden of occupational non-melanoma skin cancer due to solar radiation

Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the second most prevalent carcinogenic exposure in Canada and is similarly important in other countries with large Caucasian populations. The objective of this article was to estimate the economic burden associated with newly diagnosed non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) attributable to occupational solar radiation exposure. Key cost categories considered were direct costs (healthcare costs, out-of-pocket costs (OOPCs), and informal caregiver costs); indirect costs (productivity/output costs and home production costs); and intangible costs (monetary value of the loss of health-related quality of life (HRQoL)). To generate the burden estimates, we used secondary data from multiple sources applied to computational methods developed from an extensive review of the literature. An estimated 2,846 (5.3%) of the 53,696 newly diagnosed cases of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and 1,710 (9.2%) of the 18,549 newly diagnosed cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in 2011 in Canada were attributable to occupational solar radiation exposure. The combined total for direct and indirect costs of occupational NMSC cases is $28.9 million ($15.9 million for BCC and $13.0 million for SCC), and for intangible costs is $5.7 million ($0.6 million for BCC and $5.1 million for SCC). On a per-case basis, the total costs are $5,670 for BCC and $10,555 for SCC. The higher per-case cost for SCC is largely a result of a lower survival rate, and hence higher indirect and intangible costs. Our estimates can be used to raise awareness of occupational solar UV exposure as an important causal factor in NMSCs and can highlight the importance of occupational BCC and SCC among other occupational cancers.     

Predictability of IL-28B-polymorphism on protease-inhibitor-based triple-therapy in chronic HCV-genotype-1 patients: A meta-analysis

AIM: To investigate the predictability of interleukin-28 B single nucleotide polymorphism rs12979860 with respect to sustained virological response(SVR) in chronically hepatitis C virus(HCV) genotype-1 patients treated with a protease-inhibitor and pegylated interferon-α(Peg-INF-α) based triple-therapy. METHODS: We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library and Web of Knowledge for studies regarding the interleukin 28B(IL-28B)-genotype and protease-inhibitor based triple-therapy. Ten studies with 2707 patients were included into this meta-analysis. We used regression methods in order to investigate determinants of SVR.RESULTS: IL-28B-CC-genotype patients achieved higher SVR rates(odds 5.34, 95%CI: 3.81-7.49) than IL-28B-non-CC-genotype patients(1.88, 95%CI: 1.43-2.48) receiving triple-therapy. The line of therapy(treatment-nave or-experienced for Peg-INF-α) did not affect the predictive value of IL-28B(P = 0.1). IL-28BCC-genotype patients treated with protease inhibitorbased triple-therapy consisting of Boceprevir, Simeprevir, Telaprevir or Vaniprevir showed odds of 3.38, 14.66, 7.84 and 2.91, respectively. The odds for CC genotype patients treated with Faldaprevir cannot be quantified, as only a single study with a 100% SVR rate was available.CONCLUSION: IL-28B-SNP predicts the outcome for chronic HCV genotype-1 patients receiving protease inhibitor-based triple-therapy. The predictive value varies between the different protease inhibitors.     

Biological evaluation of a new pulp capping material developed from Portland cement

This study evaluates the biological properties of a new pulp capping material developed from Portland cement. This study was conducted on 48 teeth in 4 dogs (12 teeth/dog). The dogs were classified into two equal groups (n = 24 teeth) according to the evaluation period including: group A (3 weeks) and group B (3 months). Each group was further subdivided into three equal subgroups (n = 8 teeth) according to the capping material including: subgroup 1: mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), subgroup2: Portland cement + 10% calcium hydroxide + 20% bismuth oxide (Port Cal) and subgroup 3: Portland cement + bismuth oxide. After general anesthesia, a class V buccal cavity was prepared coronal to the gingival margin. After pulp exposure and hemostasis,the capping materials and glass ionomer filling were placed on the exposure sites. All histopathological findings, inflammatory cell count and dentin bridge formation were recorded. Data were analyzed statistically. After 3 months, the histopathological picture of the pulp in subgroup 1 showed normal pulp, continuous odontoblastic layer and complete dentin bridge formation while subgroup 2 showed partial and complete dentin bridge over a normal and necrotic pulps. Subgroup 3 showed loss of normal architecture, areas of necrosis, complete, or incomplete dentin bridge formation, attached and detached pulp stones and fatty degeneration in group B. For group A, MTA subgroup showed the least number of inflammatory cell infiltrate followed by Port Cal subgroup. While subgroup 3 showed the highest number of inflammatory cell infiltrate. For group B, the mean inflammatory cell count increased with the three tested materials with no statistical difference. Regarding dentin bridge formation at group A, no significant differences was found between subgroups, while at group B, MTA subgroup exhibited significantly higher scores than other subgroups. In conclusion, addition of calcium hydroxide to Portland cement improves the dentin bridge formation qualitatively and quantitatively.     

基于嵌入式的多路肌电信号采集系统的设计

采用直接内存存取(direct memory access,DMA)和双口随机存取存储器(dual-port random access memory,dual-port RAM)相结合的方式设计了基于嵌入式的多路肌电信号采集系统。该系统由现场可编程门阵列(field-programmable gate array,FPGA)控制模数转换器(ADC)器件的采样时序;ARM作为主控器件采用DMA方式的数据采集机制,实现了上下位机的高速通信。本研究给出了数据采集接口设计方案,以及Linux操作系统下的DMA驱动程序和控制指令。实验表明该系统在采集肌电信息的同时对肌电信息进行算法处理并实时传输,明显提升了多路肌电信号采集系统的性能。     

58例年轻恒牙外伤冠折的处理分析

目的：探究年轻恒牙外伤冠折的临床处理方法及效果。方法选择该院2009年3月—2014年9月口腔科门诊就诊年轻恒牙不同程度的外伤冠折的患者58例,依据不同临床表现分别给予直接盖髓术,活髓切断术,根尖诱导术治疗后对患牙进行随诊观察。结果治疗成功患牙52颗,占89%。结论对于年轻恒牙的外伤冠折,选择好正确的治疗方法,大多数患牙能保存牙髓活力,牙根能继续发育,永久性修复后患牙功能良好。     

牙髓血管再生术治疗13例年轻恒牙感染根管的疗效观察

目的观察年轻恒牙感染根管牙髓血管再生治疗的临床疗效,评价年轻恒牙血管再生治疗的可行性。方法 选取13例(16颗)牙髓感染或根尖周炎的年轻恒牙为研究对象,采用患牙常规开髓引流,2.5%次氯酸钠溶液冲洗根管,封氢氧化钙糊剂进行根管消毒。待临床症状消失后,无菌K锉刺破根尖周组织进行根管内引血,采用MTA充填、复合树脂进行冠方封闭。术后定期观察。结果 9颗术后牙根根尖周病变愈合,根管腔变小,牙根形成,其中有6颗根尖孔闭合; 4颗根尖孔闭合的患牙电活力测定显示有反应,3颗根尖周病变消失,牙根继续发育,根管壁增厚,牙根长度增长,根尖孔未闭合; 1颗失败,根尖周病变未消除。 结论 牙髓血管再生术是治疗年轻恒牙感染根管的有效方法。     

High Fluctuation Between Anticoagulants,Frequent Off-Label Dosing,and No Difference Concerning Outcomes: Results of a Real-Life Cohort Study

BackgroundRecently published studies indicated a high proportion of patients taking direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are off-label under- or overdosed. The present study aimed at investigating whether off-label dosages are corrected over time and whether off-label doses are associated with differences in bleeding rates, ischemic stroke, or venous thromboembolism.MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, patients presenting to our emergency department between January 1 and December 31, 2018, with therapeutic oral anticoagulation were included (ie, vitamin-K antagonists [VKAs], rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban, and dabigatran) and follow-up for a maximum of 2 years until December 31, 2019, was made. Detailed chart reviews were performed for each case concerning characteristics, indication, bleeding complications, or changes in the used substance or dosage.ResultsWe reviewed 2588 consultations of 1228 patients receiving therapeutic oral anticoagulation. During the maximum follow-up period of 2 years vitamin K antagonists and rivaroxaban lost the largest proportions in favor of apixaban. The overall distribution of dosage correctness remained almost unimproved (correct dosing in 62.5%, underdosing in 23.6%, coverdosing in 13.9%).The corresponding outcomes did not differ with respect to bleeding events, ischemic stroke, or venous thromboembolism among various anticoagulants as well as between correct and off-label doses.ConclusionsA rising proportion of existing oral anticoagulation regimes was changed to apixaban, while the proportion of off-label dosages of all oral anticoagulants remained stable. No difference in bleeding rates, de novo strokes, or thromboembolisms was found between anticoagulants as well as between correct and off-label doses.     

Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Underdosed Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter

BackgroundAlthough direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been shown to be effective at reducing the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF), they are sometimes underdosed off-label to mitigate their associated higher bleeding risk. We sought to evaluate frequency and clinical outcomes of inappropriate underdosing of DOACS in patients with AF.MethodsWe conducted a study of subjects with AF who had a clinical indication for stroke prophylaxis (with a congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 years, diabetes mellitus, stroke or transient ischemic attack, vascular disease, age 65 to 47 years, sex category [CHA₂DS₂-VASc] of 2 or greater) and were prescribed 1 of the 4 clinically approved DOACs (apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, or edoxaban). We compared all-cause mortality, composite of stroke and systemic embolism, composite of myocardial infarction (MI), acute coronary syndromes (ACS), and coronary revascularization, and major bleeding between patients appropriately dosed and inappropriately underdosed.ResultsA total of 8125 patients met inclusion criteria, with a mean follow up of 2.2 ± 2 years. Of those, 1724 patients (21.2%) were inappropriately dosed. After adjusting for baseline variables, there was no difference in all-cause mortality, risk of stroke or systemic embolism, International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) major bleeding, or composite of myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndromes, or coronary revascularization between patients appropriately dosed and inappropriately underdosed. In subgroup analysis, only apixaban demonstrated an increased incidence all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.49) with inappropriate underdosing. There was no difference in the remaining clinical outcomes noted on subgroup analysis.ConclusionUnderdosing of DOACs did not minimize risk of bleeding, systemic embolization or all-cause mortality in patients with AF. Inappropriate underdosing with apixaban in particular was associated with increased all-cause mortality.     

Direct Oral Anticoagulants Versus Vitamin K Antagonists in Real-life Patients With Atrial Fibrillation. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Introduction and objectives

To assess the effectiveness of direct oral anticoagulants vs vitamin K antagonists in real-life patients with atrial fibrillation.