Publications by authors named "Dalen E"

Article Synopsis
  • * Out of 50 Cochrane Reviews analyzed, only 48% provided clear outcome definitions for the time-to-event analyses, and critical trial characteristics related to these analyses were often missing or inaccurately reported.
  • * The inconsistencies in reporting and methods at both the trial and review levels hinder the reliability of meta-analyses on time-to-event outcomes, suggesting a need for improved standards in research reporting.
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Background: Healthy behaviors are paramount in preventing long-term adverse health outcomes in childhood, adolescent, and young adult (CAYA) cancer survivors. We systematically reviewed and synthesized existing literature on barriers, facilitators, and other factors associated with health behaviors in this population.

Methods: MEDLINE and PsycInfo were searched for qualitative and quantitative studies including survivors aged 16-50 years at study, a cancer diagnosis ≤25 years and ≥2 years post diagnosis.

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Background: Childhood cancer survivors at risk for heart failure undergo lifelong echocardiographic surveillance. Previous studies reported the limited diagnostic accuracy of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) in detecting left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. However, potential enhanced diagnostic accuracy through the combination of biomarkers and clinical characteristics has been suggested.

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Background: We assessed the prevalence and diagnostic value of ECG abnormalities for cardiomyopathy surveillance in childhood cancer survivors.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1381 survivors (≥5 years) from the Dutch Childhood Cancer Survivor Study part 2 and 272 siblings underwent a long-term follow-up ECG and echocardiography. We compared ECG abnormality prevalences using the Minnesota Code between survivors and siblings, and within biplane left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) categories.

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Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, an invasive species to Africa, and the endemic R. (B.) decoloratus are of high economic importance in the cattle industry.

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Article Synopsis
  • Cardiotoxicity is a significant side effect of childhood cancer treatments, primarily caused by anthracyclines, mitoxantrone, and heart-involved radiotherapy, which can lead to heart failure over time.
  • A systematic review analyzed 45 studies covering 7,797 children and adolescents to assess the prevalence and risk factors for acute and early-onset cardiotoxicity.
  • Results showed varying prevalence rates for different types of cardiotoxicity and highlighted that cumulative anthracycline dosage is a key risk factor affecting cardiac functions during treatment.
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Background: Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are at risk for cardiotoxicity.

Objectives: We sought to assess how cardiac dysfunction measurements in CCS overlap and are differentially influenced by risk factors.

Methods: This cross-sectional Dutch Childhood Cancer Survivor Study evaluated echocardiograms of 1,397 ≥5-year CCS and 277 siblings.

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The development of tick resistance to chemical control plays a major role in the increasing global economic impact of ticks on cattle farming. Reports on acaricide resistance of Rhipicephalus decoloratus, endemic to Africa and South Africa, are relatively few compared to the closely related and globally distributed Rhipicephalus microplus. In South Africa, ectoparasite control became the sole responsibility of each commercial producer when compulsory dipping was phased out from 1984.

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In South Africa, acaricides are widely used for tick control but very few reports are available on resistance development of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus Koch to chemical control on commercial farming systems in Africa, south of the Sahara. Resistance to different acaricide classes reported over the years was mostly from localised communal farming systems. This report addresses the lack of available information on resistance development by reviewing results found during a National Tick Resistance Survey carried out from 1998 to 2001, laying the foundation for more recent research on resistance development, and the evolution of resistance over the years.

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Objectives: Previous findings indicate limited reporting of systematic reviews with meta-analyses of time-to-event (TTE) outcomes. We assessed corresponding available information in trial publications included in such meta-analyses.

Study Design And Setting: We extracted data from all randomized trials in pairwise, hazard ratio (HR)-based meta-analyses of primary outcomes and overall survival of 50 systematic reviews systematically identified from the Cochrane Database and Core Clinical Journals.

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Introduction: Survival of childhood-onset craniopharyngioma (cCP) is excellent; however, many survivors suffer from hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction. Growth hormone replacement therapy (GHRT) is of high importance for linear growth and metabolic outcome. Optimal timing for initiation of GHRT in cCP is on debate because of concerns regarding tumor progression or recurrence.

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Climate directly influences the epidemiology of vector-borne diseases at various spatial and temporal scales. Following the recent increased incidences of theileriosis in Zimbabwe, a disease mainly transmitted by Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, we determined lethal temperatures for the species and current and possible future distribution using the machine learning algorithm 'Maxent'. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus larvae had an upper lethal temperature (ULT) of about 44 ± 0.

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Purpose: Numerous studies investigated generic psychosocial outcomes in survivors of childhood cancer (CCS). The present study aimed to describe survivor-specific psychosocial consequences in CCS, and to identify socio-demographic and medical associated factors.

Methods: CCS from the Dutch Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (DCCSS)-LATER cohort (diagnosed 1963-2001) part 2 (age ≥ 18 years, diagnosed < 18 years, ≥ 5 years since diagnosis) completed the Benefit & Burden Scale (BBSC) and the Impact of Cancer-Childhood Cancer (IOC-CS).

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Objectives: This Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) concept article offers systematic reviewers, guideline authors, and other users of evidence assistance in addressing randomized trial situations in which interventions or comparators differ from those in the target people, interventions, comparators, and outcomes. To clarify what GRADE considers under indirectness of interventions and comparators, we focus on a particular example: when comparator arm participants receive some or all aspects of the intervention management strategy (treatment switching).

Study Design And Setting: An interdisciplinary panel of the GRADE working group members developed this concept article through an iterative review of examples in multiple teleconferences, small group sessions, and e-mail correspondence.

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Survivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer, previously treated with anthracycline chemotherapy (including mitoxantrone) or radiotherapy in which the heart was exposed, are at increased risk of cardiomyopathy. Symptomatic cardiomyopathy is typically preceded by a series of gradually progressive, asymptomatic changes in structure and function of the heart that can be ameliorated with treatment, prompting specialist organisations to endorse guidelines on cardiac surveillance in at-risk survivors of cancer. In 2015, the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group compiled these guidelines into a uniform set of recommendations applicable to a broad spectrum of clinical environments with varying resource availabilities.

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Thyroid dysfunction is known to occur following radiotherapy or chemotherapy for childhood cancer. Thyroid dysfunction during treatment for childhood cancer has, however, not been studied extensively, although thyroid hormones are of utmost importance during childhood. This information is needed to develop adequate screening protocols and may be of special importance with upcoming drugs, such as checkpoint inhibitors, which are highly associated with thyroid dysfunction in adults.

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Purpose Of Review: Cancer patients are at risk for treatment-related myocardial dysfunction and heart failure during or after treatment. Risk prediction models have the potential to play an important role in identifying patients at high or low risk in order to take appropriate measures. Here, we review their current role.

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Survivors of childhood cancer are at risk of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity, which might be prevented by dexrazoxane. However, concerns exist about the safety of dexrazoxane, and little guidance is available on its use in children. To facilitate global consensus, a working group within the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group reviewed the existing literature and used evidence-based methodology to develop a guideline for dexrazoxane administration in children with cancer who are expected to receive anthracyclines.

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Background: This review is the third update of a previously published Cochrane Review. The original review, looking at all possible cardioprotective agents, was split and this part now focuses on dexrazoxane only. Anthracyclines are effective chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of numerous malignancies.

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Purpose: Heart failure (HF) is a potentially life-threatening complication of treatment for childhood cancer. We evaluated the risk and risk factors for HF in a large European study of long-term survivors. Little is known of the effects of low doses of treatment, which is needed to improve current treatment protocols and surveillance guidelines.

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Background: Anthracyclines and radiotherapy involving the heart region are cardiotoxic, but the potential cardiotoxicity of vincristine remains unknown. We assessed cardiac function in vincristine-treated >5-year childhood cancer survivors (CCS).

Methods And Results: We cross-sectionally compared echocardiograms of 101 vincristine-treated CCS (median age 35 years [range: 17-53], median vincristine dose 63 mg/m) from the national Dutch Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, LATER cohort, to 101 age- and sex-matched controls.

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Background Plasma biomarkers may aid in the detection of anthracycline-related cardiomyopathy (ACMP). However, the currently available biomarkers have limited diagnostic value in long-term childhood cancer survivors. This study sought to identify diagnostic plasma biomarkers for ACMP in childhood cancer survivors.

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Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the available literature on the prevalence and risk factors of electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities after cardiotoxic treatment in childhood cancer survivors (CCS).

Methods: A literature search was performed within MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL (1966-11/2020) and reference lists of relevant studies. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they reported ECG abnormalities ≥2 years after cancer diagnosis in ≥50 CCS treated with anthracyclines, RT involving the heart region and/or mitoxantrone.

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