DENTAL CAVITIES IN PEOPLE WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS: AN ANALYSIS OF RISK INDICATORS

Diabetes is associated with a greater number of dental cavities. It is unclear, therefore, how potential risk factors such as salivary glucose, glycemic control and blood sugar could impact the onset of dental caries between people that have type 2 diabetes (T2D). Aim of the study - analyzing the risk factors for oral cavity disease in T2D patients. We analyzed the patient data including their dietary habits, dental hygiene practices, age and control of glycemic. The Indian dataset was used. Individual patient observations include the patient's diabetes classification as a range of medical attributes such as age, pregnancy, pedigree, glucose, body mass index, skin, blood pressure and insulin. The research discovered a significant correlation between poorly managed glycemic levels and dental caries are more prevalent in people with T2DM. High sugar consumption and poor oral hygiene habits have been identified as risk factors. These results highlight the need for integrating diabetes treatment measures with dental care to reduce dental caries in this susceptible group. Utilizing dental cavities into account improves oral health and has a positive impact on health outcomes for those with type 2 diabetes.

Largest Real-World Data of Regional Nodal Irradiation Using Ultra-Hypofractionated 5-Fraction Adjuvant Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer from a Single Institute in India

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Safety data for ultra-hypofractionated (UHFRT) 5-daily fractions of the supraclavicular fossa (SCF) radiation therapy (RT) have been reported only on 384 patients treated in trial setting in UK-FAST-Forward (n = 286) and HYPORT study (n = 98). Internal Mammary nodal (IMN) RT has been reported only in 6 patients from HYPORT study. We report acute and late toxicities in largest real world regional nodal irradiation (RNI) cohort of not only with 5-daily but also with 5-weekly once RT regimen.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Of 1435 patients (1463 breasts) who received 5-fraction RT in an IEC approved registry and prospectively followed, we report 999 consecutive cases receiving RNI with a median age of 49 years (IQR:42-56years). During pandemic all patients were treated with 5-fr regimens only to limit hospital visits whereas prior to and subsequently only in patients with advanced age or with issues precluding daily 15-20 treatments. Of these, 431 (43.1%) had locally advanced BC, and 280 (28%) patients presented with ≥cN2 disease. Median cT and pT sizes were 4cm (IQR:3-6cm) and 2.8cm (IQR:1.5-4cm) respectively. Tumor was Her2 positive in 290(29%) and TNBC in 220(22%). Of these 999 cases, 611 received NACT, 647 had mastectomy and 351 had breast conserving surgery (BCS). Simultaneous integrated tumor bed boost (SIB) was given in 341 (97.1%) of BCS cases.

RESULTS

The fractionation used was 26 Gy/5-daily fractions (SIB = 32 Gy) in 762 and 28.5 Gy/ 5 once weekly fractionation (SIB = 33 Gy) in 232 cases. RNI included SCF in all 999 and IMN in 168 patients. Of the 831 cases not requiring IMN RT, 573 (70.4%) had 3D conformal RT (n = 573/831,70.4%) whereas Inverse-planned intensity modulated RT was used in 152/168 (90.4%) patients requiring IMN RT. All Mono-isocentric technique was used for all RNI cases treated with 3D CRT. Nearly half of the patients treated with SIB received additional boost dose with electrons (50.5%) and the remaining with IMRT. In these 999 patients treated with UHFRT the peak RTOG grade ≥II skin and pharyngeal toxicity was 7.2% and 8.1% respectively. Among the 341 BCS cases who received SIB with UHFRT, the RTOG acute grade II and III skin toxicity was seen in 6.6% and 0.3% cases respectively. The maximum skin toxicity at 2 weeks after completion of RT of grade ≥II was significantly higher with 5-weekly compared to daily regimen (16.1 vs 4.6, p<0.01). In contrast, the maximum pharyngeal toxicity of grade ≥II was significantly higher with 5-daily compared to weekly fractionation (8.8% vs 5.2%, p = 0.04). At median follow-up of 25 months (CI:23.6-26.3 months), none of our patients had developed symptomatic radiation pneumonitis, brachial plexopathy or any major cardiac event.

CONCLUSION

Five-fraction adjuvant breast cancer RT is well tolerated with low acute toxicity burden even among patients requiring regional nodal irradiation. No brachial plexopathy was observed in cases treated with mono-isocentric RNI but longer follow-up is required to inform about the late toxicities and locoregional control rates.

A comprehensive analysis of the factors that influence patients' health-related life quality following cardiac surgery

Objective: The purpose of the study was to investigate differences between patients' clinical conditions and health-related life quality (HRLQ)before and after cardiac surgery (CS) while considering age, and to specify variables that affect changes in HRLQ after surgery. Materials and methods: The SF-36 questionnaire was used in this research for two measurements named before surgery and after surgery. Before surgery, it accounted for both the patients' initial diagnostic traits as well as any potential complications. Results: The study included 310 patients, 69% of whom were men, at the baseline examination. 101 patients (33%) who were older than 70 years old made comprised the older group, with a mean age of 66 (SD±10.8) years. After accounting for age, gender, and type of surgery, the main risk factors for possible non-improvement of HRLQ after CS were higher values of the preoperative Physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores. Conclusions: Though their preoperative HRLQ is lower than that of younger patients, older patients with increased operational risk exhibit a similar post-cardiac surgery improvement across most HRLQ areas. Higher preoperative HRLQ status was identified as the main component in the multivariate analysis that might prevent postoperative HRLQ from recovering.

Decellularized xenogenic bone graft for repair of segmental bone defect in rabbits

Background

Bone grafting is a preferred treatment option for the healing of large diaphyseal bone defects and is useful in the management of nonunion, delayed union, and tumor resection.

Aims

To investigate a decellularization protocol of bovine cancellous bone for xenogenic implantation in radial bone defects in rabbits.

Methods

Bovine bone scaffolds fabricated with various decellularization protocols viz phosphate buffer saline (PBS), 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and rapid freeze and thaw technique. The manufactured scaffolds were characterized by biomechanical testing, histological staining, and scanning electron microscopy. A 10 mm rabbit radius bone defect was repaired with autograft and SDS treated and rapid freeze and thaw in groups A, B, and C respectively. Healing was evaluated by radiography and histopathology at 0, 30, 60, and 90 days. The grafts were also checked for host tissue reaction and incorporation into the defect.

Results

The freeze and thaw group showed complete elimination of all cellular nuclei, regular arrangement of collagen fiber, and no significant difference in tensile strength compared to 1% SDS treated and native groups. The in vivo radiographic and histopathological study showed that the rapid freeze and thaw group had complete bridging of the bone gap defect with new bone formation and they were immunologically less reactive compared to group B.

Conclusion

The in vitro and in vivo evaluation of the grafts suggested that freeze and thaw technique was most superior to all other techniques for effective decellularization and augmentation of bone healing with better integration of the graft into the host.

Can We Avoid Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (ALND) in Patients with 1-2 Positive Sentinel/Low Axillary Lymph Nodes (SLN/LAS+) in the Indian Setting?

The ACOSOG Z0011 study, heralded as a "practice changing" trial, suggested that women with T1-2 breast cancer with 1-2 SLN+, undergoing breast conservation therapy, need not be offered further ALND. However, whether these results are applicable to all women in the Indian setting, it remains debatable. A retrospective audit of all cN0 operated from 2013 to 2018 was conducted. We analyzed the percentage of additional LN positive (LN+) in the ALND group and compared it to the ACOZOG Z11 trial. Of the 2350 cN0 with EBC who underwent LAS, 687 (29%) had positive lymph nodes on final histopathology. Five hundred ninety-seven (86.9%) patients had 1-2 LN+, 40 (5.8%) patients had 3 LN+, and 50 (7.3%) had 4 or more nodes positive. Demographic features in the ACOSOG Z11 are different from those in our study, looking at ACOZOG Z11 versus our cohort-median pT 1.7 cm versus 3 cm, 45% micrometastasis versus 99.16% macrometastasis, and 28-30% grade 3 tumors versus 73.7%. In our cohort 31.82% of the 1-2 LN positive had additional LN+ on ALND. Keeping in mind the difference in clinicopathological features between our cohort and that of ACOZOG Z0011 and that 31.82% of women had additional LN+ on ALND, it may not be appropriate to apply the results of the ACOSOG Z0011 trial directly to our general population. Possibly, only a select subset of patients who match the trial population of the ACOSOG Z11 could be offered observation of the axilla and validated nomograms can be used to identify high-risk patients.

Molecular characterization and optical properties of primary emissions from a residential wood burning boiler

Modern small-scale biomass burners have been recognized as an important renewable energy source because of the economic and environmental advantages of biomass over fossil fuels. However, the characteristics of their gas and particulate emissions remain incompletely understood, and there is substantial uncertainty concerning their health and climate impacts. Here, we present online measurements conducted during the operation of a residential wood-burning boiler. The measured parameters include gas and particle concentrations, optical absorption and chemical characteristics of gases and particles. Positive matrix factorization was performed to analyze data from a high-resolution time-of-flight chemical ionization mass spectrometer (HR-ToF-CIMS) equipped with a filter inlet for gases and aerosols (FIGAERO). Six factors were identified and interpreted. Three factors were related to the chemical composition of the fuel representing lignin pyrolysis products, cellulose/hemicellulose pyrolysis products, and nitrogen-containing organics, while three factor were related to the physical characteristics of the emitted compounds: volatile compounds, semi-volatile compounds, and filter-derived compounds. An ordinal analysis was performed based on the factor fractions to identify the most influential masses in each factor, and by deconvoluting high-resolution mass spectra fingerprint molecules for each factor were identified. Results from the factor analysis were linked to the optical properties of the emissions, and lignin and cellulose/hemicellulose pyrolysis products appeared to be the most important sources of brown carbon under the tested burning conditions. It is concluded that the emissions from the complex combustion process can be described by a limited set of physically meaningful factors, which will help to rationalize subsequent transformation and tracing of emissions in the atmosphere and associated impacts on health and climate.

Sepsis associated new onset atrial fibrillation; risk factors and long term outcomes

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is commonly encountered in the setting of systemic inflammation or infection. The optimal management of AF in this cohort and their long-term AF-related clinical outcome are unknown.

Purpose

The aims of our study were to evaluate the traditional and non-traditional AF risk factors and long-term AF-related clinical outcomes in patients who were diagnosed with new onset AF in the setting of sepsis.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we used the medical records to identify patients who were diagnosed with the new onset AF during hospitalization for sepsis at our centre between 2013 and 2017. The primary clinical outcomes included 24-month risk of ischaemic stroke, major bleeding (gastrointestinal or intracranial bleeding), the recurrence of AF and the all-cause mortality. The patients with known AF or those who died during the index admission were excluded from the analysis.

Results

5598 patients were admitted to our hospital between 2013 and 2017 with sepsis. Of this cohort, 126 patients (mean age 69.7 years, 62.7% male) developed new onset AF during the index hospital admission (72.2% required ICU admission). 38 patients (30.1%) died during the initial hospitalisation while 88 patients (69.9%) were discharged from hospital (32% anticoagulated). 14 patients (16%) died within 24 months. Hypertension (59%), CKD (30%), diabetes (21%), and CCF (17%) were the most common risk factors. Mean CHA2DS2VASC score was 2.56±1.4 and mean HAS BLED score was 2.5±1.3. Mean CRP and WCC were 228±119 and 12.3±9.1 respectively. Comparing risk factors, only HASBLED score showed statistical significance on 24 months mortality (p=0.036, 95% CI 0.43–1.52). The composite incidence of all-cause mortality and ischaemic stroke was three times lower in anticoagulated patients compared with those who did not receive anticoagulation even though this did not reach statistical significance (7.1% v 21.6% respectively, p=0.07; RR=0.32; 95% CI=0.79–1.36). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups for major bleeding events (3.5% v 3.3% respectively, p=0.68; RR=1.07; 95% CI=0.10–11.3). Rhythm and rate control therapies showed no significant difference on the composite outcome of all-cause mortality, ischaemic stroke and recurrence of AF (28.0% v 28.9%, p=0.92; RR=0.96, 95% CI=0.49–1.88), however, there was a trend towards less recurrence of AF in patients who received rate or rhythm control therapies (12% vs 18% respectively p=0.44; RR=0.67; 95% CI=0.24–1.85).

Conclusions

Our study suggests that anticoagulation therapy in patients with sepsis associated new onset AF may decrease composite of all-cause mortality and ischaemic stroke without increasing major bleeding risk. Rhythm and rate control strategies did not decrease all-cause mortality, ischaemic stroke or risk of recurrence of AF. These findings can provide benchmarks for design of randomized control trials.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Diagnostic utility of ultrasonography and computerized tomography in gall bladder perforation: A case report

Gall bladder (GB) perforation can be misdiagnosed as any other more common cause of acute abdomen. We present a case of a 72-year-female who had presented to the emergency department with an acute abdomen. The clinical presentation and the biochemical markers had pointed towards acute pancreatitis. However, the ultrasonographic examination of the abdomen and the pelvis suggested GB perforation which was confirmed by the multislice computerized tomography scan. Following this the patient underwent open cholecystectomy and was successfully managed. The invaluable contributions from the radiological modalities led to the successful management of the patient.