Brachytherapy: An emblematic example of extreme hypofractionated regimen

In order to provide more convenient irradiation regimens for patient comfort, radiation facility organization and health expenses, new hypofractionated protocols have been evaluated. Moderately (dose/fraction: 2.3 to 3 Gy), then ultra (dose/fraction: 5.2 to 6.1 Gy) hypofractionated irradiations were first validated. The current question is: is it possible to go forward using extreme hypofractionated regimens (EHR) based on 1 to 3 fractions. Different irradiation techniques are under investigation. However, brachytherapy remains the smartest way to deliver a high dose in a small volume. We report prospective and retrospective study results which evaluated EHR for breast and prostate brachytherapy. While oncological outcome and toxicity profile appear extremely encouraging for low-risk breast cancer after a 1 to 4 fractions (6.25 to 20 Gy/fraction), the use of a single fraction of 19 to 23 Gy appears debatable for prostate cancer. Brachytherapy represents an emblematic example of EHR but longer follow-up and more mature results are awaited in order to specify the right indications and refine the EQD2 calculation method including new biological and technical factors.     

A new analytical cut-off point for determining 18 years of age using MRI on medial clavicular epiphysis

Evaluation of the ossification of the medial clavicular epiphysis plays a key role in forensic age estimation. The purpose of the present study was to assess a new numerical cut-off at the age of 18 years, taking into consideration Magnetic Resonance (MR) images of the medial clavicular epiphysis. We analyzed 163 MR scans of Italian subjects aged between 14 and 25 years. Using the data obtained we calculated two ratios: REM-1 (ratio between the length of the whole epiphysis and the length of the metaphysis) and REM-2 (ratio between the length of epiphyseal-metaphyseal fusion and the length of the metaphysis). In 68 out of 163 cases it was not possible to measure REM-2. The reproducibility was demonstrated using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.80). REM-1 and REM-2 were compared in each category of age (adult and minor) by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The cut-off points for measurements of REM-1 and REM-2 were determined by logistic regression. For REM-1, the cut-off scores were 0.83 for all individuals (accuracy = 94.77%) and males (accuracy = 96.05%), and 0.86 for females (accuracy = 92.30%). For REM-2, the cut-off values were 0.40 for all individuals and males (accuracy = 100.00%), and 0.41 for females (accuracy = 100.00%). Finally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for age classification based on REM-1 and REM-2 were constructed, showing that REM-2 had the highest discriminative power. Thus, a new cut-off model for predicting the age of majority has been introduced, conducting a quantitative analysis thanks to the use of a high-resolution imaging tool.     

Effect of gender on the reliability of COVID-19 rapid antigen test among elderly

Defining con-founders that affect the reliability of diagnostic tests for coronavirus disease 2019 is vital to breaking the chain of infection. The elderly population is a higher risk group for the emerging virus. However, gender seems to exert a critical role in modifying the infection risk among women owing to hormonal changes. The menopause transition is an exceptional period for older women where the protective and immunomodulatory effects of the estrogen hormone are lost. Accordingly, attention should be given to postmenopausal women since they will have an increased risk compared to their pre-menopausal peers.     

Aging attenuates the ovarian circadian rhythm

ObjectiveTo study the effect of aging on ovarian circadian rhythm.DesignHuman and animal study.SettingUniversity hospital and research laboratory.Patients/animalsHuman granulosa cells were obtained by follicular aspiration from women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), and ovarian and liver tissues were obtained from female C57BL/6 mice.Intervention(s)None.Main outcome measure(s)Expression of circadian genes in young and older human granulosa cells and circadian rhythm in ovaries and livers of young and older mice.Result(s)All examined circadian clock genes in human granulosa cells showed a downward trend in expression with aging, and their mRNA expression levels were negatively correlated with age (P < 0.05). Older patients (≥ 40 years of age) had significantly reduced serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels. Except for Rev-erbα, all other examined circadian clock genes were positively correlated with the level of AMH (P < 0.05). The circadian rhythm in the ovaries of older mice (8 months) was changed significantly relative to that in ovaries of young mice (12 weeks), although the circadian rhythm in the livers of older mice was basically consistent with that of young mice.Conclusion(s)Lower ovarian reserve in older women is partially due to ovarian circadian dysrhythmia as a result of aging.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s10815-020-01943-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

不同年龄段勃起功能障碍患者的心理状况与人格特征分析

目的探讨不同年龄段勃起功能障碍(ED)患者心理状况的差异。方法回顾性分析郑州大学第三附属医院2018年7月至2019年7月收治的401例ED患者的临床资料。年龄20~60岁。将所有患者按年龄段分为4组:A组158例,年龄20~29岁;B组182例,年龄30~39岁;C组38例,年龄40~49岁;D组23例,年龄50~60岁。基于国际勃起功能评分表(IIEF-5)评估患者的勃起功能情况。采用症状自评量表(SCL-90)评估患者的敌对、焦虑、精神病性、恐怖、偏执、强迫、躯体化、人际关系、抑郁等9项心理状况。采用状态-特质焦虑量表(STAI)区分患者是否存在状态性或特质性的焦虑情绪。采用艾森克人格问卷(EPQ)分析患者的人格类型。分析患者组与文献报道的全国常模组SCL-90、STAI和EPQ量表的差异。分析不同年龄组患者各项指标的差异。结果患者组SCL-90量表的敌对(1.64±0.67,t=4.81,P<0.001)、焦虑(1.58±0.66,t=6.83,P<0.001)、精神病性(1.62±0.68,t=11.87,P<0.001)、偏执(1.55±0.66,t=3.58,P<0.001)、强迫(1.95±0.70,t=9.56,P<0.001)、躯体化(1.43±0.58,t=2.10,P=0.036)、人际关系/敏感(1.74±0.74,t=2.79,P=0.005)、抑郁(1.66±0.74,t=4.50,P<0.001)等因子分,以及总分(1.53±0.63,t=3.07,P=0.002)均显著高于全国常模组。A、B、C、D组的人际关系/敏感得分差异有统计学意义(1.72±0.78、1.65±0.69、1.58±0.92、1.43±0.59,F=2.84,P=0.038)。患者组STAI量表的状态焦虑(t=7.35,P<0.001)、特质焦虑(t=6.31,P<0.001)等因子分和总分(t=8.41,P<0.001)均显著高于全国常模组,不同年龄组的状态焦虑(F=5.29,P=0.001)、特质焦虑(F=5.54,P<0.001)因子分和总分(F=5.66,P<0.001)差异有统计学意义。患者组的精神质(t=30.56,P<0.001)、情绪(t=45.94,P<0.001)、外倾-内倾(t=11.72,P<0.001)、掩饰性(t=29.16,P<0.001)等因子分和总分(t=30.56,P<0.001)均显著高于全国常模组。401例的人格类型分别为抑郁质183例(45.64%),胆汁质94例(23.44%),黏液质66例(16.46%),多血质58例(14.46%)。不同年龄组的抑郁质、胆汁质、黏液质、多血质人格类型分布分别为A组76、35、26、21例,B组87、40、32、23例,C组14、10、6、8例,D组6、9、2、6例,组间比较差异无统计学意义(χ^2=10.65,P=0.30)。结论ED患者存在一系列异常的情绪、躯体化的不适感,敏感的人际关系以及内向、情绪不稳定的人格特征;年龄越小的患者其焦虑情绪越严重,人际关系越敏感,可能与其内向的个性特征及情绪的不稳定性相关。     

胸段食管癌累及野放疗与扩大野放疗对危及器官的辐射剂量学分析

目的 研究胸段食管癌逆向调强放射治疗（IMRT）中累及野照射与扩大野照射对危及器官（OAR）受照剂量的影响。方法 40例胸段食管癌患者分别行累及野靶区勾画和扩大野靶区勾画并勾画危及器官，制定IMRT计划，评估2个计划的靶区适形指数（CI）和均匀性指数（HI）及危及器官的剂量学参数，剂量学参数比较采用配对t检验。结果 2种计划的PTV均能满足处方剂量要求，PTV在CI、HI上相近（P = 0.317、0.130）。两组间平均肺剂量、两肺V₅、两肺V₂₀、两肺V₃₀、脊髓D_mean、心脏D_mean、心脏D_max、心脏V₃₀、心脏V₄₀、心脏V₆₀差异均存在统计学意义（P < 0.01）。结论 胸段食管癌患者行累及野照射与扩大野比较，可降低正常器官的受照剂量，从而降低放射性损伤风险。     

Impact of age within younger populations on outcomes following cervical surgery in the ambulatory setting

ObjectiveTo determine the effect of age within the younger population seen at ambulatory surgical centers on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after cervical spine surgery.MethodsPatients of age <65 years undergoing single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) or cervical disc replacement (CDR) were included. Patients were divided by mean age of initial population (46 years). PROMs included Patient-reported Outcome Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS-PF), 12-Item Short-Form Physical Component Survey (SF-12 PCS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) neck, VAS arm, Neck Disability Index (NDI) collected preoperatively and at postoperative time points up to 2 years.Results138 patients were included, with 66 patients <46 years. Both cohorts demonstrated improvement from preoperative baseline with regard to all studied PROMs at multiple time points postoperatively (p ≤ 0.042, all). Between groups, the older cohort demonstrated greater mean PROMIS-PF scores preoperatively and at 6 weeks (p ≤ 0.011, both), while VAS arm scores were lower in the older group at 1 year (p = 0.002), and NDI scores were lower in the older group at 6 weeks and 1 year (p < 0.027, both). Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) achievement rates were greater in the younger group in PROMIS PF at 2 years (p = 0.002), and in the older group in VAS arm score at 1 year (p = 0.007).ConclusionBoth cohorts showed significant improvement at multiple postoperative time points for all PROMs. Between groups, the older group reported more favorable physical function, VAS arm, and NDI scores at several time points. However, MCID achievement rates only significantly differed in two PROMs at singular time points. Difference in age in patients <65 years likely does not significantly affect long-term outcomes after cervical spine surgery.