Long-term efficacy, safety and neurotolerability of MATRix regimen followed by autologous transplant in primary CNS lymphoma: 7-year results of the IELSG32 randomized trial.

219 HIV-negative adults ≤70 years with primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) were enrolled in the randomized IELSG32 trial. Enrolled patients were randomly assigned to receive methotrexate-cytarabine (arm A), or methotrexate-cytarabine-rituximab (B), or methotrexate-cytarabine-thiotepa-rituximab (MATRix; arm C). A second randomization allocated patients with responsive/stable disease to whole-brain irradiation (WBRT) or carmustine-thiotepa-conditioned autologous transplantation (ASCT).

The prevalence of comorbidity in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis estimates the prevalence of common comorbid health disorders in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A multi-database search strategy was undertaken. Screening, data extraction and quality assessment were carried out by two independent reviewers.

Use of the oral beta blocker bisoprolol to reduce the rate of exacerbation in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): a randomised controlled trial (BICS).

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with significant morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. Beta blockers are well-established drugs widely used to treat cardiovascular conditions. Observational studies consistently report that beta blocker use in people with COPD is associated with a reduced risk of COPD exacerbations.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mobility Trends and the Associated Rise in Population-Level Physical Inactivity: Insights From International Mobile Phone and National Survey Data.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has reduced physical activity (PA) levels. This is important as physical inactivity is linked to poor COVID-19 outcomes. This study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on greenspace and residence mobility, walking levels and in turn how these translated to trends in (UK) PA levels.

Long-Term Outcomes and Exploratory Analyses of the Randomized Phase III BILCAP Study.

Purpose: The BILCAP study described a modest benefit for capecitabine as adjuvant therapy for curatively resected biliary tract cancer (BTC), and capecitabine has become the standard of care. We present the long-term data and novel exploratory subgroup analyses.

Methods: This randomized, controlled, multicenter, phase III study recruited patients age 18 years or older with histologically confirmed cholangiocarcinoma or muscle-invasive gallbladder cancer after resection with curative intent and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of < 2.

A survey to ascertain peer support models available in Head and Neck cancer across the United Kingdom.

In cancers and chronic conditions, peer support (PS) has been shown to improve quality of life (QOL) and provide an important coping mechanism for patients, however there is little evidence for this intervention in Head and Neck cancer (HNC). Peer support allows individuals to come together and share information, encouragement, and experiences. It is delivered in a variety of ways including one-to-one, online, and support groups.

The Place and Value of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors in the Evolving Treatment Paradigm for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Narrative Review.

Over recent years, the expanding evidence base for sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) therapies has revealed benefits beyond their glucose-lowering efficacy in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), resulting in their recognition as cardiorenal medicines. While SGLT2is continue to be recommended among the second-line therapies for the treatment of hyperglycaemia, their true value now extends to the prevention of debilitating and costly cardiovascular and renal events for high-risk individuals, with particular benefit shown in reducing major adverse cardiac events and heart failure (HF) and slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease. However, SGLT2i usage is still suboptimal among groups considered to be at greatest risk of cardiorenal complications.

Head and neck cancer peer-to-peer support and quality of life: systematic scoping review.

Background/aim: The aim of this scoping review was to summarise the current evidence for peer-to-peer support and its impact on quality of life (QoL) in head and neck cancer (HNC).

Methods: Five search engines were used-PubMed, CINAHL, APA PyscInfo, Web of Science and HaNDLE-on-QoL-to look for publications between 1981 and 2020. Adapted PICO (population, intervention, comparator and outcome) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) methodology was used.

Health-related quality of life at 3 months following head and neck cancer treatment is a key predictor of longer-term outcome and of benefit from using the patient concerns inventory.

Introduction: During clinical follow-up it can be difficult to identify those head and neck cancer (HNC) patients who are coping poorly and could benefit from additional support. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) questionnaires and prompt lists provide a means by which patients can express their perceived outcomes and raise concerns. The first aim of this secondary analysis following a randomized trial was to explore which patient characteristics, at around 3 months following treatment completion (baseline), best predict HRQOL 12 months later.

Needs assessment in patients surgically treated for head and neck cancer-a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: To investigate the effect and feasibility of a head and neck cancer-specific needs assessment tool integrated into nursing rehabilitation consultations early in the post-surgical period on quality of life, symptom burden, and referrals for multidisciplinary follow-up.

Methods: Ninety-two surgically treated patients with head and neck cancer were enrolled in a two-arm randomized controlled trial. All participants received nursing rehabilitation consultations prior to discharge, and two weeks and two months post-operative.

Cardiac autonomic neuropathy and risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality in type 1 and type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis.

We aimed to determine the prognostic association between cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) and cardiovascular disease events (CVE) and mortality in type 1 and type 2 diabetes through a systematic review and meta-analysis. This systematic review and meta-analysis was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020216305) and was conducted with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodological criteria. CAN was defined on the basis of 1 (early/possible CAN) or ≥2 (definite CAN) positive autonomic function tests as per the Toronto Consensus guidelines.

Overnight variation in tidal expiratory flow limitation in COPD patients and its correction: an observational study.

Background: Tidal expiratory flow limitation (EFL) is common among COPD patients. Whether EFL changes during sleep and can be abolished during home ventilation is not known.

Methods: COPD patients considered for noninvasive ventilation used a ventilator which measured within-breath reactance change at 5 Hz (∆Xrs) and adjusted EPAP settings to abolish EFL.

Patient characteristics and refusal to participate in a head and neck cancer intervention trial: experience of two tertiary UK head and neck cancer centres.

Introduction: Randomised clinical trials are an essential component for robust clinical evaluation. They are expensive to deliver but can fail to achieve the required outcomes. This paper reports details of trial recruitment in a head and neck Patient Concerns Inventory intervention trial from two UK head and neck tertiary centres.

Impact of the UK lockdown on people at risk of COPD.

https://bit.ly/3laMsmi.

Isolation of Microvesicles from Human Circulating Neutrophils.

Neutrophil-derived microvesicles (NDMVs) are liberated by neutrophils upon cell activation by molecules. Once activated, neutrophils are primarily involved in acute inflammation; however, the microvesicles they produce are largely anti-inflammatory. NDMVs have been shown to protect cartilage during inflammatory arthritis.

Early postoperative arterial lactate concentrations to stratify risk of post-hepatectomy liver failure.

Background: Post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) represents the major determinant for death after liver resection. Early recognition is essential. Perioperative lactate dynamics for risk assessment of PHLF and associated morbidity were evaluated.

Risk stratification for poor health-related quality of life following head and neck cancer through the aid of a one-page item prompt list.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the usability of a single-page, patient-completed, condition-specific prompt list, the Patient Concerns Inventory (PCI-HN), to risk-stratify for poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Data were collected between 2008 and 2017. The main dataset comprised 310 patients first completing the PCI-HN and University of Washington Quality of Life questionnaire (UW-QOLv4) between 2012 and 2017.

Metabolic Plasticity and Combinatorial Radiosensitisation Strategies in Human Papillomavirus-Positive Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck Cell Lines.

Background: A major objective in the management of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) is to reduce long-term functional ramifications while maintaining oncological outcomes. This study examined the metabolic profile of HPV-positive SCCHN and the potential role of anti-metabolic therapeutics to achieve radiosensitisation as a potential means to de-escalate radiation therapy.

Methods: Three established HPV-positive SCCHN cell lines were studied (UM-SCC-104, UPCI:SCC154, and VU-SCC-147), together with a typical mutant HPV-negative SCCHN cell line (UM-SCC-81B) for comparison.

Which Head and Neck Cancer Patients Are Most at Risk of High Levels of Fear of Cancer Recurrence.

Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is recognized as a common concern for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). The aim of this study is to describe in greater detail the demographic and clinical characteristics of HCN patients who indicate a high level of FCR in their review consultation. A pragmatic cluster-controlled trial was conducted between January 2017 and December 2018 at two UK HNC centers (Leeds and Liverpool) to test the efficacy of a prompt tool called the Patient Concerns Inventory (PCI).

Health related quality of life and patient concerns in patients with osteoradionecrosis.

The number of patients presenting with osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is likely to increase in future and health related quality of life (HRQOL) is a key outcome. This study aimed to report patient concerns and HRQOL in an osteoradionecrosis cohort over 12 years. Patients attended routine follow-up clinics between 2008 to 2020, where patient reported outcome (PRO) assessment was used before consultations as standard practice.

Challenging the obesity paradox: extreme obesity and COPD mortality in the SUMMIT trial.

Populations with COPD demonstrate higher survival in overweight and obese compared with normal weight; the "obesity paradox". Relationships in less-severe COPD are unclear, as is the impact of cardiovascular risk, and few studies include individuals at extremes of obesity.  We examined the relationship between body mass index (BMI; defined as underweight: <20 kg·m, normal: 20-25 kg·m, overweight: 25- <30 kg·m, obese class I: 30- <35 kg·m, class II: 35- <40 kg·m and class III: ≥40 kg·m), morbidity, and mortality in the SUMMIT trial population (n=16 485), characterised by moderate COPD and heightened cardiovascular risk with a substantial proportion with class III obesity.