Performance of EAST in diagnosing inhalant allergens in children with allergic rhinitis

The performance of enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (EAST) for identifying six indoor allergens was evaluated using skin prick test (SPT) as reference tests in 154 children with allergic rhinitis. Sensitivity of EAST ranged from 9% (cat) to 54% (HDM) with specificity of 74%(cockroach) to 100% (cat) with an agreement ranged from 58 to 86%. Cut off values ?> ?0.35 kU/L showed best sensitivity and specificity. Our findings agree with extant literature which suggests that the ability of EAST to determine the precipitating allergen is moderate. Assays for definitively identifying the inhalant allergen are currently not available.     

几何不确定性鲁棒优化在肝癌立体定向放疗中的应用

目的:分析基于几何不确定性的鲁棒优化计划对肝癌立体定向放疗（SBRT）剂量分布的影响。方法:选取12例肝癌SBRT患者，对每例制作3个调强计划:①基于PTV（ITV-PTV 5 mm）的常规优化（PTV-Based Plan）；②基于ITV非均匀几何不确定性（本中心计算的不确定性值:进出方向7 mm，左右和前后方向4 mm）的鲁棒优化（Robust Planactual）；③基于ITV均匀5 mm几何不确定性的鲁棒优化（Robust Plan5 mm）。所有计划都以95%的PTV满足处方剂量作为目标，以等中心均匀偏移4、5、7 mm计算扰动剂量评估鲁棒性。结果:计划①②③的均匀性指数（HI）分别为0.083±0.027、0.099±0.035、0.096±0.026，不具有统计学意义；计划①②③的适形性指数（CI）分别为0.98±0.02、1.02±0.05、1.00±0.04，计划②③相对于计划①的CI具有统计学意义。计划③的正常肝组织平均受量和V2500相对于计划①②分别下降了4.1%、2.5%和5.4%、3.0%，且具有统计学意义（P=0.034、P=0.021和P=0.004、P=0.004），计划②相对于计划①的正常肝组织平均受量和V2500不具有统计学意义（P=0.308和P=0.182），但下降了1.6%和2.5%。对于其鲁棒性，计划②③的5 mm-D99%、5 mm-D98%、5 mm-D95%的剂量-体积直方图带宽（DVHBW）差值相对于计划①更小，随着摆位不确定度的增大，其DVHBW差值越大。结论:在肝脏SBRT治疗中，采用鲁棒优化能够提高靶区剂量分布质量，即使在摆位不确定度有所增加的情况下，仍可以保证ITV的剂量覆盖同时不增加正常组织的照射剂量。     

Diagnostic pitfalls in needle core biopsy of the breast

Breast core biopsies are a standard component of the triple approach that includes clinical examination, imaging and tissue sampling. Conventional cores, diagnostic vacuum assisted biopsy and vacuum assisted excisions are established methods for sampling and managing breast lesions. It is important to be aware of the potential pitfalls in the technical handling and interpretation of the limited core biopsy samples. Here, we present a clinically oriented, well illustrated overview of the common diagnostic pitfalls based on the author's diagnostic and second opinion practice, emphasize the value of clinicopathological correlation and provide histological tips and clues with useful immunohistochemistry to aid the reporting pathologists in their daily interpretation of breast core biopsies.     

Global colorectal cancer research, 2007-2021: Outputs and funding

The purpose of this study was to provide an evidence base for colorectal cancer research activity that might influence policy, mainly at the national level. Improvements in healthcare delivery have lengthened life expectancy, but within a situation of increased cancer incidence. The disease burden of CRC has risen significantly, particularly in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Research is key to its control and reduction, but few studies have delineated the volume and funding of global research on CRC. We identified research papers in the Web of Science (WoS) from 2007 to 2021, and determined the contributions of the leading countries, the research domains studied, and their sources of funding. We identified 62 716 papers, representing 5.7% of all cancer papers. This percentage was somewhat disproportionate to the disease burden (7.7% in 2015), especially in Eastern Europe. International collaboration increased over the time period in almost all countries except in China. Genetics, surgery and prognosis were the leading research domains. However, research on palliative care and quality-of-life in CRC was lacking. In Western Europe, the main funding source was the charity sector, particularly in the UK, but in most other countries government played the leading role, especially in China and the USA. There was little support from industry. Several Asian countries provided minimal contestable funding, which may have reduced the impact of their CRC research. Certain countries must perform more CRC research overall, especially in domains such as screening, palliative care and quality-of-life. The private-non-profit sector should be an alternative source of support.     

Surgical resection after neoadjuvant durvalumab and radiation is feasible and safe in non–small cell lung cancer: Results from a randomized trial

ObjectiveSeveral trials have recently reported the safety of pulmonary resection after neoadjuvant immunotherapy with encouraging major pathological response rates. We report the detailed adverse events profile from a recently conducted randomized phase II trial in patients with resectable non–small cell lung cancer treated with neoadjuvant durvalumab alone or with sub-ablative radiation.MethodsWe conducted a randomized phase II trial in patients with non–small cell lung cancer clinical stages I to IIIA who were randomly assigned to receive neoadjuvant durvalumab alone or with sub-ablative radiation (8Gyx3). Secondary end points included the safety of 2 cycles of preoperative durvalumab with and without radiation followed by pulmonary resection. Postoperative adverse events within 30 days were recorded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 4.0).ResultsSixty patients were enrolled and randomly assigned, with planned resection performed in 26 patients in each arm. Baseline demographics and clinical variables were balanced between groups. The median operative time was similar between arms: 128 minutes (97-201) versus 146 minutes (109-214) (P = .314). There was no 30- or 90-day mortality. Grade 3/4 adverse events occurred in 10 of 26 patients (38%) after monotherapy and in 10 of 26 patients (38%) after dual therapy. Anemia requiring transfusion and hypotension were the 2 most common adverse events. The median length of stay was similar between arms (5 days vs 4 days, P = .172).ConclusionsIn this randomized trial, the addition of sub-ablative focal radiation to durvalumab in the neoadjuvant setting was not associated with increased mortality or morbidity compared with neoadjuvant durvalumab alone.     

情绪释放技术对乳腺癌术后化疗患者预期性悲伤的影响

目的 探讨情绪释放技术对改善乳腺癌术后化疗患者预期性悲伤的效果。方法 采用便利抽样法选取乳腺癌术后化疗患者60例为研究对象,采用随机数字表法将其分为对照组和干预组,各30例。对照组给予常规护理,干预组在对照组的基础上实施情绪释放干预疗法。比较干预前后2组心理痛苦程度和预期性悲伤得分水平。结果 干预后,干预组心理痛苦程度低于对照组(t=-17.930,P＜0.001);预期性悲伤总分及各维度得分均低于对照组(P＜0.001)。结论 对乳腺癌术后化疗患者应用情绪释放技术进行护理干预,可以减轻患者心理痛苦程度,降低患者预期性悲伤,值得临床推广应用。     

Managing the Breast Cancer Survivor in Primary Care

Early detection and improved treatments for breast cancer are increasing survival rates, thereby growing the number of survivors to almost 4 million in the United States. Continuing care after treatment is frequently provided in primary care. Evidence-based care includes a history review, physical examination, and imaging for recurrence and new cancers, along with health maintenance and health promotion. Additionally, survivors often experience long-term side effects from their disease and/or treatment, affecting health and quality of life. This article provides a synopsis of breast cancer treatment-related side effects and current evidence-based guidelines to assist the primary care provider caring for survivors.