Longitudinal evaluation of a hearing protector fit training program

Objective:The present study evaluates a training program for fitting different hearing protection devices (HPDs) based on personal attenuation rating (PAR) before, immediately after, and six months after training.Methods:A total of 67 workers from a public university in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, were invited to participate in the measurement of PARs for foam and silicone protectors through the 3M™ E-A-Rfit Validation System. Two evaluations were performed for each protector at each sampling date: one after reading printed material (the package instructions) and another after being trained by an audiologist. The same procedures were repeated after six months. The final sample consisted of 30 individuals. ANOVA was used for statistical analysis.Results:Larger PAR values were observed after training by the audiologist, and smaller values were observed after six months. Then, after re-training, the values increased again. There were no statistically significant differences in PAR among the HPDs tested. Even after the two training sessions, 23 to 27% of the subjects did not obtain adequate PAR values.Conclusion:These findings emphasize the need for continual worker training in the correct fit of earplug HPDs and the importance of longitudinal PAR monitoring. In addition, some workers, despite the training provided, did not adapt to the HPDs used. Therefore, it is essential that other protection methods and/or other HPD types are made available to these individuals.Key words: Hearing, noise-induced hearing loss, occupational health, personal protective equipment, hearing protection devices     

Computer-Aided Diagnosis of Vertebral Compression Fractures Using Convolutional Neural Networks and Radiomics

Journal of Digital Imaging - Vertebral Compression Fracture (VCF) occurs when the vertebral body partially collapses under the action of compressive forces. Non-traumatic VCFs can be secondary to...     

Riesgo de recurrencia tras retirada de la anticoagulación en pacientes con enfermedad tromboembólica venosa no provocada: validación externa del nomograma de Viena y del modelo predictivo DASH

IntroductionScales for predicting venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence are useful for deciding the duration of the anticoagulant treatment. Although there are several scales, the most appropriate for our setting has not been identified. For this reason, we aimed to validate the DASH prediction score and the Vienna nomogram at 12 months.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of unselected consecutive VTE patients seen between 2006 and 2014. We compared the ability of the DASH score and the Vienna nomogram to predict recurrences of VTE. The validation was performed by stratifying patients as low-risk or high-risk, according to each scale (discrimination) and comparing the observed recurrence with the expected rate (calibration).ResultsOf 353 patients evaluated, 195 were analyzed, with an average age of 53.5 ± 19 years. There were 21 recurrences in 1 year (10.8%, 95% CI: 6.8%-16%). According to the DASH score, 42% were classified as low risk, and the rate of VTE recurrence in this group was 4.9% (95% CI: 1.3%-12%) vs. the high-risk group that was 15% (95% CI: 9%-23%) (p <.05). According to the Vienna nomogram, 30% were classified as low risk, and the rate of VTE recurrence in the low risk group vs. the high risk group was 4.2% (95% CI:0.5%-14%) vs. 16.2% (95% CI: 9.9%-24.4%) (p <.05).ConclusionsOur study validates the DASH score and the Vienna nomogram in our population. The DASH prediction score may be the most advisable, both because of its simplicity and its ability to identify more low-risk patients than the Vienna nomogram (42% vs. 30%).     

Nanoparticle albumin bound-paclitaxel for treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer: an evaluation of the clinical evidence

Introduction: Nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel), a microtubule inhibitor, has demonstrated clinical efficacy in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) either as monotherapy or in combination. Nab-paclitaxel was developed to reduce the toxicities associated with solvent-bound paclitaxel (sb-paclitaxel).

Areas covered: This review first focuses on the clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of nab-paclitaxel in NSCLC at different settings. The approval of nab-paclitaxel in combination with carboplatin at the front-line setting for advanced NSCLC was based on the key phase III study, which showed that nab-paclitaxel/carboplatin was associated with superior overall response rate and favorable toxicity profile compared to sb-paclitaxel/carboplatin. The review also addresses the nab-paclitaxel pharmacology, other combinations (e.g. immunotherapy with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors), potential biomarkers (e.g. caveolin-1), and special subgroups (e.g. the elderly, squamous histology).

Expert opinion: Existing data has established the role of nab-paclitaxel in the management of advanced NSCLC. Emerging evidence, such as preliminary results from Keynote-407 and IMpower 131 studies, indicates that novel combinations of nab-paclitaxel/carboplatin and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors could further improve clinical benefits with manageable toxicity. Nevertheless, in order to better position nab-paclitaxel and to improve patient selection, future studies are warranted to further understand its mechanism of action, predictive biomarkers, and potential synergism with other agents.     

Intraoperative Patterns of Gastric Microperfusion During Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Introduction

Visible light spectroscopy (VLS) represents a sensitive, non-invasive method to quantify tissue oxygen levels and detect hypoxemia. The aim of this study was to assess the microperfusion patterns of the gastric pouch during laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) using the VLS technique.

Methods

Twenty patients were enrolled. Tissue oxygenation (StO2%) measurements were performed at three different localizations of the gastric wall, prior and after the creation of the gastric pouch, and after the creation of the gastro-jejunostomy.

Results

Prior to the creation of the gastric pouch, the lowest StO2% levels were observed at the level of the distal esophagus with a median StO2% of 43 (IQR 40.8–49.5). After the creation of the gastric pouch and after the creation of the gastro-jejunostomy, the lowest StO2% levels were recorded at the level of the His angle with median values of 29% (IQR 20–38.5) and 34.5% (IQR 19–39), respectively. The highest mean StO2 reduction was recorded at the level of the His angle after the creation of the gastric pouch, and it was 18.3% (SD ± 18.1%, p < 0.001). A reduction of StO2% was recorded at all localizations after the formation of the gastro-jejunostomy compared to the beginning of the operation, but the mean differences of the StO2% levels were statistically significant only at the resection line of the pouch and at the His angle (p = 0.044 and p < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

Gastric pouch demonstrates reduction of StO2% during LRYGB. VLS is a useful technique to assess microperfusion patterns of the stomach during LRYGB.

Graphical abstract

     

Efficacy and safety of ND:YAG 1064 nm lasers for photoepilation: a systematic review

Lasers in Medical Science - Using light sources in phototherapy has presented promising results regarding several types of facial and body skin affections for centuries. The neodymium-doped yttrium...     

Die Postarthroskopische Osteonekrose

Osteonecrosis after arthroscopic meniscectomy is a rare postoperative complication. The precise etiology as well as the specific pathomechanism are unknown. There are only case reports in the literature about postarthroscopic osteonecrosis; large series with long-term follow-up are missing. Differential diagnosis between postarthroscopic osteonecrosis and primary osteonecrosis already present before arthroscopy but undiagnosed is only possible by stage-dependent imaging. This study evaluates the current status of knowledge about postarthroscopic osteonecrosis.