Impact of Surveillance Imaging in Patients With HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Carcinoma Treated With Definitive Radiation and Chemotherapy.

Objectives: Surveillance imaging for HPV-associated oropharyngeal carcinomas (OPCs) differs among physicians and institutions. Surveillance imaging can detect disease progression earlier, but can also contribute to anxiety and cost, without proven survival benefits. We sought to determine practice patterns of surveillance imaging and the number of surveillance scans needed to detect one recurrence in patients with HPV-associated OPCs.

Nomogram to predict risk of early mortality following definitive or adjuvant radiation and systemic therapy for head and neck cancer.

Purpose/objectives: We sought to create nomograms to predict individual risk of early mortality, which can identify patients who require interventions to prevent early death.

Methods: We included patients in the National Cancer Database with non-metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck who received radiation and systemic therapy between 2004 and 2017 in the definitive or adjuvant setting. Early mortality was defined as any death less than 90 days after starting radiation.

Higher Rates of Inadequate Adjuvant Radiation Dose Among Older Adults with Head and Neck Cancer.

Objective: To determine the rate of inadequate radiotherapy and identify risk factors associated with inadequate adjuvant radiotherapy for head and neck cancer among older adults.

Methods: A retrospective review of the National Cancer Database (NCDB) was performed to identify patients diagnosed with squamous cell cancer of the head and neck between 2004 and 2017. Patients with a single malignancy, negative surgical margins, no extranodal extension, and receipt of adjuvant radiation without systemic therapy were included in the study cohort.

System Accuracy and Interference Evaluation of a New Glucose Dehydrogenase-Based Blood Glucose Meter for Patient Self-Testing.

New European medical device regulations require the performance of postmarketing surveillance evaluations for blood glucose meters (BGMs). We conducted an ISO15197:2015-conform system performance evaluation with the approved glucose dehydrogenase (GDH)-based Wellion NEWTON BGM. One hundred subjects were enrolled into the study (44 female, 56 male, 43 healthy subjects, 23 type 1 diabetes, 34 type 2 diabetes, age: 53.

Differential use of postoperative psychosocial and physical services among older adults with head and neck cancer.

Introduction: Older adults undergoing head and neck cancer (HNC) surgery often have significant functional and mental health impairments. We examined use of postoperative physical, nutritional, and psychosocial services among a cohort of older adults with HNC comanaged by geriatricians and surgeons.

Materials And Methods: Our sample consisted of older adults who were referred to the Geriatrics Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center between 2015 and 2019 and took a geriatric assessment (GA) prior to undergoing HNC surgery.

Concurrent carboplatin and paclitaxel definitive radiation therapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer.

Background: We report the outcomes of cisplatin-ineligible HNSCC patients treated with definitive chemoradiation and concurrent carboplatin and paclitaxel.

Materials And Methods: We included consecutive HNSCC patients treated from 2013 to 2021 that received definitive chemoradiation with carboplatin and paclitaxel. Locoregional recurrences (LRR) and distant metastases (DM) were estimated using cumulative incidence functions.

Deformation Behavior under Tension with Pulse Current of Ultrafine-Grain and Coarse-Grain CP Titanium.

The problem of the real existence of the electroplastic effect during deformation of metallic materials of different nature is still relevant. At the same time, the influence of structure refinement is not considered enough. In this work, the deformation behavior of ultrafine-grained (UFG) titanium Grade 4 is compared with that of coarse-grained (CG) titanium under tension with pulse current of the low duty cycle.

Correlation of an Electronic Geriatric Assessment With Receipt of Adjuvant Radiation and Chemotherapy in Older Adults With Head and Neck Cancer.

Purpose: Treatment patterns for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) vary among older adults because of concerns about their health status. Geriatric assessment may guide treatment for older adults with HNSCC by assessing their health status.

Methods And Materials: We conducted a retrospective review of adjuvant treatment received by older patients with HNSCC who completed a novel geriatric assessment, the electronic Rapid Fitness Assessment, before treatment.

Soil weathering dynamics and erosion in a dry oceanic area of the southern hemisphere (Otago, New Zealand).

Landscape evolution is driven by tectonics, climate and surface denudation. In New Zealand, tectonics and steep climatic gradients cause a dynamic landscape with intense chemical weathering, rapid soil formation, and high soil losses. In this study, soil, and elemental redistribution along two adjacent hillslopes in East Otago, New Zealand, having different landscape settings (ridge versus valley) are compared to identify soil weathering and erosion dynamics.

Effects of Severe Plastic Deformation and Ultrasonic Treatment on the Structure, Strength, and Corrosion Resistance of Mg-Al-Zn Alloy.

Nowadays, there is a great demand for increasing the strength and corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys for their wider use in machine engineering, oil industry, and medicine. This paper is devoted to a study on the effects of the combined process of reduction and equal channel angular pressing, as well as the subsequent ultrasonic irradiation on the structure, strength, and corrosion properties of the Mg-Al-Zn alloy. Deformation processing results in an increase of the strength up to 280 ± 10 MPa.

Regularities of Microstructure Evolution in a Cu-Cr-Zr Alloy during Severe Plastic Deformation.

The effect of severe plastic deformation by the conforming process of equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE-Conform) followed by cold rolling on the microstructures developed in a Cu-0.1Cr-0.1Zr alloy was investigated.

The relationship among lead knee extension, fastball velocity and elbow torque in professional baseball pitchers.

The purpose of this study was to investigate potential differences in lead knee extension velocity, elbow varus torque and lead knee extension (the change in lead knee flexion from foot contact to ball release) in high and low velocity professional pitchers. Three-dimensional motion capture (480 Hz) was used to assess 322 professional pitchers.         T-test were used to compare the two groups and multiple linear regression analyses were performed on all pitchers (n = 322).

Biodegradation of Resorbable Magnesium Alloys Promising for Implant Development.

Unlabelled: was to study the biodegradation characteristics and rate of magnesium alloys .

Materials And Methods: We studied the biodegradation of magnesium alloys Mg-Zn-Ca and WE43 (Mg-Y-Nd-Zr) in homogenized (initial) condition and after strengthening by mechanical processing using equal channel angular pressing (ECAP). The samples were incubated in a model system based on reference fetal calf serum (FCS) in the static and dynamic modes.

Outcomes following head and neck cancer surgery among older adults as determined by an electronic geriatric assessment.

Purpose: Older adults with head and neck cancer have increased postoperative complications, longer hospital stays, and higher rates of mortality. Geriatric assessment (GA) provides a measure of overall health status and is preferable to using age alone for assessing fitness for surgery. We sought to determine whether a patient's frailty as determined by a novel electronic GA is associated with outcomes after head and neck cancer (HNC) surgery.

Developing Nanostructured Ti Alloys for Innovative Implantable Medical Devices.

Recent years have witnessed much progress in medical device manufacturing and the needs of the medical industry urges modern nanomaterials science to develop novel approaches for improving the properties of existing biomaterials. One of the ways to enhance the material properties is their nanostructuring by using severe plastic deformation (SPD) techniques. For medical devices, such properties include increased strength and fatigue life, and this determines nanostructured Ti and Ti alloys to be an excellent choice for the engineering of implants with improved design for orthopedics and dentistry.

The Effect of Equal-Channel Angular Pressing on the Microstructure, the Mechanical and Corrosion Properties and the Anti-Tumor Activity of Magnesium Alloyed with Silver.

The effect of equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) on the microstructure, texture, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and cytotoxicity of two magnesium-silver alloys, Mg-2.0%Ag and Mg-4.0%Ag, was studied.

The influence of ultrafine-grained structure on the mechanical properties and biocompatibility of austenitic stainless steels.

In this study, equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) of austenitic 316L and Cr-Ni-Ti stainless steels was carried out. Effect of ECAP at 400°C on the evolution of the microstructure, mechanical properties, and biocompatibility of these steels was investigated. The biocompatibility of samples with the ultrafine grain structure obtained in the ECAP process did not deteriorate in comparison with an austenitic 316L stainless steel in coarse-grained state.

Elevation of Serum CEA in Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anus.

The proportion of anal cancer cases that produce elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels is not well described in the medical literature. In this study, we used electronic health record data from a single urban cancer center to identify patients from 2004-2018 with anal cancer who have also had a pre-initial treatment CEA measurement. We identified 40 patients who met our eligibility criteria.

Use of Bevacizumab for Elderly Patients With Stage IV Colon Cancer: Analysis of SEER-Medicare Data.

Background: Bevacizumab is used for the treatment of metastatic colon cancer in conjunction with first-line chemotherapy. In this study, we examined receipt of first-line bevacizumab and predictors of its use among older patients with stage IV colon cancer.

Materials And Methods: We used data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare dataset to identify patients with stage IV colon cancer diagnosed from 2005 to 2013 who received FOLFOX (5-fluorouracil/leucovorin/oxaliplatin) or FOLFIRI (5-fluorouracil/leucovorin/irinotecan) as first-line therapy.

FOLFOX and FOLFIRI Use in Stage IV Colon Cancer: Analysis of SEER-Medicare Data.

Background: Shortly after the year 2000, randomized trials demonstrated that patients with metastatic colon cancer treated with infusional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/leucovorin with either oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) or irinotecan (FOLFIRI) had a comparable progression-free survival benefit, superior to patients who received 5-FU/leucovorin alone. Factors associated with the initial receipt of the FOLFOX or FOLFIRI regimen are unknown. Our goal was to investigate the patterns and predictors of use for first-line FOLFOX and FOLFIRI.

Does equality legislation reduce intergroup differences? Religious affiliation, socio-economic status and mortality in Scotland and Northern Ireland: A cohort study of 400,000 people.

Religion frequently indicates membership of socio-ethnic groups with distinct health behaviours and mortality risk. Determining the extent to which interactions between groups contribute to variation in mortality is often challenging. We compared socio-economic status (SES) and mortality rates of Protestants and Catholics in Scotland and Northern Ireland, regions in which interactions between groups are profoundly different.

Mortality differences and inequalities within and between 'protected characteristics' groups, in a Scottish Cohort 1991-2009.

Background: Little is known about the interaction between socio-economic status and 'protected characteristics' in Scotland. This study aimed to examine whether differences in mortality were moderated by interactions with social class or deprivation. The practical value was to pinpoint population groups for priority action on health inequality reduction and health improvement rather than a sole focus on the most deprived socioeconomic groups.

Association between socioeconomic factors and cancer risk: a population cohort study in Scotland (1991-2006).

Background: Lung and upper aero-digestive tract (UADT) cancer risk are associated with low socioeconomic circumstances and routinely measured using area socioeconomic indices. We investigated effect of country of birth, marital status, one area deprivation measure and individual socioeconomic variables (economic activity, education, occupational social class, car ownership, household tenure) on risk associated with lung, UADT and all cancer combined (excluding non melanoma skin cancer).

Methods: We linked Scottish Longitudinal Study and Scottish Cancer Registry to follow 203,658 cohort members aged 15+ years from 1991-2006.

Does widowhood increase mortality risk?: testing for selection effects by comparing causes of spousal death.

Background: We consider whether widowhood increases mortality risk. Although commonly observed, this "widowhood effect" could be due to selection effects, as married couples share various characteristics related to the risk of death. We therefore consider the widowhood effect by various causes of spousal death; some causes of death are correlated with shared characteristics in couples, while others are not.