A prospective study on survival in cancer patients with and without venous thromboembolism

Retrospective population-based studies showed that in cancer patients venous thromboembolism (VTE) is associated with reduced survival. Master Oncology is a multicenter study in patients with solid advanced cancer aimed at assessing (1) risk factors for VTE using a case–control design, and (2) survival in cases (patients with VTE) and controls (patients without VTE). Survival data were prospectively collected for at least 10 months. Overall, 237 cases and 339 controls were included in the analysis. The following factors were found to be associated with an increased risk of VTE: body mass index (BMI; OR 2.02; 95 % CI 1.31–3.12 for ≥26 vs. <23 kg/m²), ECOG score (OR 2.14; 95 % CI 1.47–3.11 for grade 1, and 3.32; 95 % CI 1.64–6.00 for grade 2–3, compared to grade 0) and recent diagnosis of cancer (OR 1.90; 95 % CI 1.33–2.71 for <12 vs. ≥12 months). After an average prospective observation of 8.3 months, 136 cases (57.4 %) and 127 controls (37.5 %) died with a median survival of 8.7 (95 % CI 7.5–10.9) and 14.3 months (95 % CI 12.2–18.7), respectively, (Wilcoxon = 27.72, p < 0.001; multivariate hazard ratio 1.55; 95 % CI 1.21–2.00). Median survival time was reduced for both patients with symptomatic (Wilcoxon = 35.22, p < 0.001) and asymptomatic VTE (Wilcoxon = 4.63, p = 0.031). Patients with advanced solid cancer, high BMI, high ECOG score, and recent diagnosis of cancer are associated with an increased risk for VTE. Patients with both symptomatic and asymptomatic VTE have a reduced survival compared to those without VTE.     

Effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy on cardiotrophin-1 circulating levels in patients with heart failure

Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) is a member of the interleukin (IL-6) family of cytokines. Plasma CT-1 levels correlate with the left ventricle mass index in patients with dilatated cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure (CHF). The aim of this paper was to evaluate CT-1 plasma levels, before and after cardiac resynchronization therapy CRT, and to characterizeits prognostic role in patients with CHF. Fifty-two consecutive patients (M/F = 39/13; 56 ± 11 years old) underwent clinical and echocardiographic evaluation, and blood sample collection at baseline. The same evaluation was repeated 6.4 ± 0.79 months after CRT. Patients with a decreased LV end-systolic volume by at least 15% (reverse remodeling) were considered echo responders to CRT. Twenty-nine patients (56%) were responders to CRT. After CRT, only 15 patients (29%) showed increased CT-1 after CRT. They were all non responders to CRT. A multivariate, logistic modelshowed CT-1 as an independent predictor of CRT echo response (p = 0.005; OR 0.97). During follow-up (18 ± 7 months), 21 cardiac events in 18 patients occurred. A Cox multivariable model showed plasma BNP pre-CRT (p = 0.02; CI 1.2–5.6; OR 3.1) and CT1 post-CRT (p = 0.01; CI 1.4–4.3; OR 2.7) as independent predictors of cardiac events. Analysis of CT-1 plasma levels deserves future consideration for larger, longitudinal studies in patients with CHF.     

Shift-driven modulations of spin-echo signals

Since the pioneering works of Carr-Purcell and Meiboom-Gill [Carr HY, Purcell EM (1954) Phys Rev 94:630; Meiboom S, Gill D (1985) Rev Sci Instrum 29:688], trains of π-pulses have featured amongst the main tools of quantum control. Echo trains find widespread use in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and imaging (MRI), thanks to their ability to free the evolution of a spin-1/2 from several sources of decoherence. Spin echoes have also been researched in dynamic decoupling scenarios, for prolonging the lifetimes of quantum states or coherences. Inspired by this search we introduce a family of spin-echo sequences, which can still detect site-specific interactions like the chemical shift. This is achieved thanks to the presence of weak environmental fluctuations of common occurrence in high-field NMR--such as homonuclear spin-spin couplings or chemical/biochemical exchanges. Both intuitive and rigorous derivations of the resulting "selective dynamical recoupling" sequences are provided. Applications of these novel experiments are given for a variety of NMR scenarios including determinations of shift effects under inhomogeneities overwhelming individual chemical identities, and model-free characterizations of chemically exchanging partners.     

Implant rehabilitation in patients with oral lichen planus: an overview

Objectives

Implant rehabilitation in oral lichen planus (OLP) is a major challenge for clinicians and patients. There is limited scientific evidence, primarily case reports and small case series. We conducted a literature review of data on the effectiveness and safety of implant rehabilitation in OLP patients.

Material and methods

We searched MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane databases for articles on implant placement in OLP patients (searches from 1980 to 2011).

Results

Eight studies (41 OLP patients rehabilitated with 135 implants) met the inclusion criteria. Survival rate of implants was 94.8% over a mean follow-up of 56.5?months.

Conclusions

There is very limited evidence on the safety and benefits of implant placement in OLP patients. Implant loss appears not to be directly related to OLP, but linked to factors such as parafunctions, poor bone quality and marginal mandibular resection. The benefits and harms of using implants in people with OLP require thorough evaluation in properly designed randomised, controlled studies.

Clinical relevance

OLP is not an absolute contraindication for implant insertion and there is no increased risk of failure. Implants should be positioned only if mucosal signs and symptoms are in the remission phase. A careful oral hygiene and frequent follow-up are the main recommendations in OLP patients rehabilitated with implants.