Risk factors for neurocognitive decline in lung cancer patients treated with prophylactic cranial irradiation: A systematic review

BackgroundProphylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) reduces brain metastasis incidence in lung cancer, however with risk of neurocognitive decline. Nevertheless, risk factors for neurocognitive decline after PCI remain unclear.MethodsWe systematically reviewed the PubMed database according to the PRISMA guideline. Inclusion criteria were: randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and observational/single arm trials evaluating PCI, including ≥20 patients, reporting neurocognitive test results for lung cancer. Primary aim: evaluate risk factors associated with neurocognitive decline after PCI.ResultsTwenty records were eligible (8 different RCTs, 8 observational studies), including 3553 patients in total (858 NSCLC, 2695 SCLC) of which 73.6% received PCI. Incidence of mild/moderate cognitive decline after PCI varied from 8 to 89% (grading not always provided); for those without PCI, this was 3.4–42%. Interestingly, 23–95% had baseline cognitive impairment. Risk factors were often not reported. In one trial, both age (>60 years) and higher PCI dose (36 Gy) including twice-daily PCI were associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline. In one trial, white matter abnormalities were more frequent in the concurrent or sandwiched PCI arm, but without significant neuropsychological differences. One trial identified hippocampal sparing PCI to limit the neurocognitive toxicities of PCI and another reported an association between hippocampal dose volume effects and memory decline. As neurocognition was a secondary endpoint in most RCTs, and was assessed by various instruments with often poor/moderate compliance, high-quality data is lacking.ConclusionsAge, PCI dose, regimen and timing might be associated with cognitive impairment after PCI in lung cancer patients, but high-quality data is lacking. Future PCI trials should collect and evaluate possible risk factors systematically.     

Survival Disparities in Black Patients With EGFR-mutated Non–small-cell Lung Cancer

BackgroundLittle is known about the difference between black and non-black patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), particularly regarding survival. We thus characterized the EGFR expression profile, clinical characteristics, and survival outcome in these patients.Patient and MethodsWe reviewed the cancer registry and patient charts at a New York-Bronx network (n = 2773) treating a large population of minority patients, for non-squamous NSCLC (n = 1986) diagnosed between 2009 and 2015. Survival was adjusted for smoking, gender, age, weight, and stage.ResultsThe EGFR mutation rate was 15% (98/652) in tested patients (black, 14%; non-black, 16%). There was no significant difference between the 2 cohorts with respect to age at diagnosis, gender, presenting stages, and socioeconomic status. On the other hand, weight was noted to be heavier in black patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC than their non-black counterparts (P = .012). After adjusting for gender, age, smoking status, weight, and stage, the multivariate analysis revealed no racial disparity in survival among patients with wild-type EGFR (P = .774); However, among patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC, black patients had shorter survival in comparison with non-black patients (P = .001), with 2-year survival rates being 33% versus 61%, respectively. Such shorter survival was also observed among EGFR-inhibitor treated patients with common EGFR mutations (P = .040).ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first report of inferior survival among black patients with NSCLC with EGFR mutations, relative to non-black patients. The survival disparities suggest the need of more tailored management for this patient population.     

Impact and Predictors of Noncircular Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Shapes on Estimating Aortic Stenosis Severity by Means of Continuity Equations

Determining aortic stenosis (AS) severity is clinically important. Calculating aortic valve (AV) area by means of the continuity equation assumes a circular left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). The full impact of this assumption in calculating AV area is unknown. Predictors of noncircular LVOT shape in patients with AS are undefined.In 109 adult patients with AS who underwent multiplanar transesophageal echocardiography, we calculated AV area by means of the standard continuity method and by a modified method involving planimetric LVOT area.We found 54 circular, 37 horizontal-oval, 8 vertical-oval, and 10 irregular LVOTs. Area derived by direct planimetry correlated better with the modified than the standard continuity method (r=0.89 vs r=0.85; both P=0.0001). Valve areas of patients with mild, moderate, or severe AS by planimetry were more often mischaracterized with use of the standard than modified method (29 vs 18; P <0.0001). Horizontal-oval AV area derived by planimetry (1.28 ± 0.55 cm²) was underestimated by the standard method (1.05 ± 0.47 cm²; P=0.001), but not by the modified method. Congenital AV morphology and low cardiac index were the only multivariate predictors of horizontal-oval shape. Low cardiac index was the only predictor of noncircular shape.More than half our patients with AS had noncircular LVOTs. Using the modified method reduces mischaracterizations of AS severity. Congenital AV morphology and low cardiac index predict horizontal-oval or noncircular shape. These data suggest the value of direct LVOT measurement to calculate AS severity in patients who have congenital AV or a low cardiac index.     

Poly(ortho ester) nanoparticles targeted for chronic intraocular diseases: ocular safety and localization after intravitreal injection

Treatment of posterior eye diseases is more challenging than the anterior segment ailments due to a series of anatomical barriers and physiological constraints confronted by drug delivery to the back of the eye. In recent years, concerted efforts in drug delivery have been made to prolong the residence time of drugs injected in the vitreous humor of the eye. Our previous studies demonstrated that poly(ortho ester) (POE) nanoparticles were biodegradable/biocompatible and were capable of long-term sustained release. The objective of the present study was to investigate the safety and localization of POE nanoparticles in New Zealand white rabbits and C57BL/6 mice after intravitreal administration for the treatment of chronic posterior ocular diseases. Two concentration levels of POE nanoparticles solution were chosen for intravitreal injection: 1.5?mg/ml and 10?mg/ml. Our results demonstrate that POE nanoparticles were distributed throughout the vitreous cavity by optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination 14 days post-intravitreal injection. Intraocular pressure was not changed from baseline. Inflammatory or adverse effects were undetectable by slit lamp biomicroscopy. Furthermore, we demonstrate that POE nanoparticles have negligible toxicity assessed at the cellular level evidenced by a lack of glia activation or apoptosis estimation after intravitreal injection. Collectively, POE nanoparticles are a novel and nontoxic as an ocular drug delivery system for the treatment of posterior ocular diseases.     

疏风宣肺止嗽汤对咳嗽变异性哮喘患儿肺功能及睡眠质量的影响

目的:观察疏风宣肺止嗽汤对咳嗽变异性哮喘患儿肺功能及睡眠质量的影响。方法:将70例咳嗽变异性哮喘患儿按照随机数字表法分为对照组和观察组,每组各35例。对照组给予常规西医治疗,观察组在对照组的基础上加用自拟疏风宣肺止嗽汤治疗。比较两组患儿的临床疗效、症状消失时间、住院时间、不良反应发生率、复发率及治疗前后中医证候积分、匹兹堡睡眠质量指数(pittsburgh sleep quality index,PSQI)、肺功能指标变化情况。结果:观察组有效率为94.29%,对照组有效率为77.14%,两组患儿有效率比较,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组复发率低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组患儿治疗后中医证候评分及PSQI评分低于本组治疗前,且观察组治疗后低于对照组治疗后,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组患儿治疗后肺功能指标高于本组治疗前,且观察组治疗后高于对照组治疗后,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组患儿症状消失时间及住院时间短于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:自拟疏风宣肺止嗽汤治疗咳嗽变异性哮喘,能够改善患儿的临床症状、肺功能及睡眠质量。     

脊柱化脓性感染动物模型的建立及应用进展

手术部位感染是脊柱手术后常见且非常严重的并发症,严重影响患者的身体健康。尽管手术操作无菌细致,及时给予适当的全身抗生素,但手术部位感染率仍然很高[1-2]。据报道,我国脊柱手术感染的风险从0.5%~7.8%不等[3-4]。糖尿病、肥胖、高血压等疾病显著增加脊柱术后感染,感染后治疗的费用可达10多万美元[5],大大增加了患者的经济负担。     

温病学理论指导下的新型冠状病毒肺炎诊治刍议

基于温病学理论,探讨新型冠状病毒肺炎的中医病因病机与诊治思路。温病学说源于明清之前的历代中医理论积累,经过长期的温热病防治实践而形成,其对于外感热病(包括烈性传染病)的病因病机、证治方药有着较为系统的论述,近年来在我国的新发传染病防治中发挥出积极的作用。温瘟相通,瘟疫病因多为热毒疫邪,表现为热证阳证,可按温病学中的卫气营血或三焦辨证分期论治,或治以吴又可、庞安时等的经方验方,这些因、机、证、治理论可试用于新型冠状病毒肺炎的中医诊疗。且肺与大肠相表里,胃肠道也是新型冠状病毒侵袭或繁殖的部位,采用中医清热通下之法,使邪从肠道而出,可能是减轻体内病毒感染与肺脏炎症的一种途径。     

"Triple Trouble" in A Case of Mass Lesion

Bronchogenic carcinoma, the commonest lung tumor occurs more frequently in the elderly with typical symptoms of cough, haemoptysis, weight loss, dyspnoea or chest pain. These symptoms mimic common respiratory infections in en-demic areas like pulmonary tuberculosis. Also, metastasis at presentation itself is common, the favoured sites being liver, contra-lateral lungs, bones, brain, etc., although unusual and rare sites like heart also are known. We herein report a rare association of both carcinoma with active pulmonary tuberculosis in the same lobe associated with intracardiac metastasis. Very few cases have been published describing lung carcinoma with intracardiac metastasis. We hope the documentation of this rare case will shed further light into the subject area and improve clinical education.