Impact of Hospital Volume on Outcomes of Lower Extremity Endovascular Interventions (Insights from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample [2006 to 2011])

Our primary objective was to study postprocedural outcomes and hospitalization costs after peripheral endovascular interventions and the multivariate predictors affecting the outcomes with emphasis on hospital volume. The study cohort was derived from Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample database (2006 to 2011). Peripheral endovascular interventions were identified using appropriate International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision diagnostic and procedural codes. Annual institutional volumes were calculated using unique identification numbers and then divided into quartiles. Two-level hierarchical multivariate mixed models were created. The primary outcome was inhospital mortality; secondary outcome was a composite of inhospital mortality and postprocedural complications. Amputation rates and hospitalization costs were also assessed. Multivariate analysis (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval, p value) revealed age (1.46, 1.37 to 1.55, p <0.001), female gender (1.28, 1.12 to 1.46, p <0.001), baseline co-morbidity status as depicted by a greater Charlson co-morbidity index score (≥2: 4.32, 3.45 to 5.40, p <0.001), emergent or urgent admissions(2.48, 2.14 to 2.88, p <0.001), and weekend admissions (1.53, 1.26 to 1.86, p <0.001) to be significant predictors of primary outcome. An increasing hospital volume quartile was independently predictive of improved primary (0.65, 0.52 to 0.82, p <0.001 for the fourth quartile) and secondary (0.85, 0.73 to 0.97, 0.02 for the fourth quartile) outcomes and lower amputation rates (0.52, 0.45 to 0.61, p <0.001). A significant reduction hospitalization costs ($-3,889, -5,318 to -2,459, p <0.001) was also seen in high volume centers. In conclusion, a greater hospital procedural volume is associated with superior outcomes after peripheral endovascular interventions in terms of inhospital mortality, complications, and hospitalization costs.

Highly enhanced Raman scattering of graphene using plasmonic nano-structure

Highly enhanced Raman scattering of graphene on a plasmonic nano-structure platform is demonstrated. The plasmonic platform consists of silver nano-structures in a periodic array on top of a gold mirror. The gold mirror is used to move the hot spot to the top surface of the silver nano-structures, where the graphene is located. Two different nano-structures, ring and crescent, are studied. The actual Raman intensity is enhanced by a factor of 890 for the G-peak of graphene on crescents as compared to graphene on a silicon dioxide surface. The highest enhancement is observed for the G-peak as compared to the 2D-peak. The results are quantitatively well-matched with a theoretical model using an overlap integral of incident electric field intensities with the corresponding intensities of Raman signals at the G- and 2D-peaks. The interaction of light with nano-structures is simulated using finite element method (FEM).

Uptake of Dissolved Sulfide by Spartina alterniflora: Evidence from Natural Sulfur Isotope Abundance Ratios

The difference in the stable sulfur isotope ratios of sulfate and sulfide in marsh pore water was used to verify the uptake of hydrogen sulfide by the salt marsh cordgrass Spartina alterniflora in a North Carolina salt marsh. Most of the plant sulfur derived from pore-water sulfide was recovered as sulfate, an indication that the sulfide had been oxidized within the plant. The analysis of the sulfur isotope ratios of other coastal halophytes may be a useful technique for determining whether sulfide is taken up by plants in saline wetlands.

Toremifene improves lipid profiles in men receiving androgen-deprivation therapy for prostate cancer: interim analysis of a multicenter phase III study

PURPOSE

Androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) is associated with greater risk of incident coronary heart disease and hospital admission for myocardial infarction; treatment-related increases in serum lipids may contribute to greater cardiovascular disease risk. We evaluated the effects of toremifene, a selective estrogen-receptor modulator, on fasting serum lipid levels in men receiving ADT for prostate cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In an ongoing, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III fracture-prevention study, 1,389 men receiving ADT for prostate cancer were randomly assigned to receive toremifene (80 mg/d) or placebo. In this interim analysis of 188 patients, changes in fasting serum lipids from baseline to month 12 were compared between the placebo and toremifene groups.

RESULTS

Changes in serum lipids differed significantly between the groups. Mean (+/- SE) total cholesterol decreased by 1.0% +/- 1.7% from baseline to month 12 in the placebo group and decreased by 8.1% +/- 1.4% in the toremifene group (P = .001 for between group comparison). Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol increased by 0.8% +/- 2.5% in the placebo group and decreased by 8.2% +/- 2.5% in the toremifene group (P = .003). In contrast, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol decreased by 4.9% +/- 1.2% in the placebo group and increased by 0.5% +/- 2.2% in the toremifene group (P = .018). Triglycerides increased by 6.9% +/- 4.2% in the placebo group and decreased by 13.2% +/- 3.6% in the toremifene group (P = .003).

CONCLUSION

Toremifene significantly decreased total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, and increased HDL cholesterol in men receiving ADT for prostate cancer.

Improvement in sexual functioning in patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome

INTRODUCTION

Sexual functioning is one of the strongest predictors of poorer quality of life (QOL) in patients diagnosed with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS).

AIMS

To examine the relationship between symptom reduction and sexual functioning in patients with IC/PBS.

METHODS

Patients with IC/PBS were treated with 300 mg/day pentosan polysulfate sodium for 32 weeks.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Patients completed the O'Leary-Sant Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index, Short Form-12 QOL, and Medical Outcomes Study Sexual Functioning Scale at baseline, and at 8, 16, 24, and 32 weeks. Treatment responders were defined as those achieving a >/=30% reduction in symptom index from baseline.

RESULTS

A total of 128 patients were included in the analyses. At baseline, mean symptom index, QOL (physical and mental), and sexual functioning scores were 12.3, 41.7, 45.9, and 56.1, respectively. Patients showed statistically significant improvement in symptom and sexual functioning scores at weeks 8, 16, 24, and 32. At week 32, the mean change in symptom index score from baseline was -2.97 (standard deviation [SD] = 4.66, P < 0.0001), and the mean change in sexual functioning score from baseline was 8.9 (SD = 32.9, P = 0.0054). Reduction in symptom index score was moderately correlated with improvement in sexual functioning score at the end of study (r = -35, P = 0.0002). Positive correlation was observed at the end of the study between the mean change scores of sexual functioning score and physical and mental QOL components (r = 0.46, P < 0.0001 and r = 0.29, P = 0.0023, respectively). Patients achieving a >/=30% reduction in symptom index (responder, N = 47; 44%) had an adjusted mean change in sexual functioning score of 19.8 (standard error [SE] = 4.69), while nonresponders (N = 59, 56%) had an adjusted mean change -0.49 (SE = 4.17) (between groups, P = 0.0020).

CONCLUSIONS

Sexual dysfunction is moderate to severe in patients with IC/PBS and impacts significantly on QOL. Reduction in symptoms was associated with improvement in the patient-reported outcomes of sexual function.

Toremifene increases bone mineral density in men receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer: interim analysis of a multicenter phase 3 clinical study

PURPOSE

We evaluated the effects of toremifene on bone mineral density, a surrogate for fracture risk, in men receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In an ongoing, multicenter, phase 3 fracture prevention study 1,392 men 50 years or older with prostate cancer receiving androgen deprivation therapy were randomized to 80 mg toremifene per day or placebo. Bone mineral density of the lumbar spine, total hip and femoral neck was assessed using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. In this planned interim analysis of the first 197 subjects we compared bone mineral density changes from baseline to month 12 between the placebo and toremifene groups.

RESULTS

Compared with the placebo group men in the toremifene group had significant increases in bone mineral density at each evaluated skeletal site. Lumbar spine bone mineral density decreased 0.7% in the placebo group and increased 1.6% in the toremifene group (between group comparison p <0.001). Total hip bone mineral density decreased 1.3% in the placebo group and increased 0.7% in the toremifene group (p = 0.001). Femoral neck bone mineral density decreased 1.3% in the placebo group and increased 0.2% in the toremifene group (p = 0.009). Between group differences in the change in bone mineral density from baseline to month 12 were 2.3%, 2.0% and 1.5% for the lumbar spine, total hip and femoral neck, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Toremifene significantly increased hip and spine bone mineral density in men receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. The effect of toremifene on the fracture risk is being assessed in the ongoing randomized, controlled trial.

Effect of toremifene in lowering total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides and raising HDL in prostate cancer patients on androgen deprivation therapy

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Introduction: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the standard treatment for men with advanced prostate cancer. ADT has been shown to detrimentally affect lipids (average 9% increase in total cholesterol and 26% increase in triglycerides) and is associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction. Toremifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), improves bone mineral density and lipid profiles in women. An ongoing phase III trial will assess the safety and efficacy of toremifene in treating multiple side effects of ADT including osteoporosis, hot flashes, gynecomastia and lipid profiles. Given the emerging recognition of increased cardiovascular risk during ADT, an interim analysis was conducted to assess the effects of toremifene on lipid profiles in the ongoing phase III study. Methods: 1,392 men = 50 years old with histologically documented prostate cancer and receiving ADT were randomized to toremifene (80 mg/day) or placebo. An interim analysis evaluated changes in lipids from baseline to month 12 in the first 197 subjects to complete one-year follow up. The outcomes measured in this interim analysis were total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, total cholesterol/HDL ratio, and HDL cholesterol. Results: Compared to treatment with placebo, toremifene decreased total cholesterol (7.1%; p=0.001 for between group comparison), LDL cholesterol (9.0%; p=0.003), and triglycerides (20.1%; p=0.009) levels, and the total cholesterol/HDL ratio (11.7%; p<0.001). Toremifene also significantly increased HDL levels (5.4%; p=0.018) compared to placebo. The effects of toremifene were observed in both statin users and nonusers. Conclusions: Toremifene decreases total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides and increases HDL cholesterol in men receiving ADT for advanced prostate cancer compared to placebo. Conclusions regarding the clinical significance of these observations will be based on the full cohort of patients at the conclusion of the trial.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia during androgen deprivation (ADT) for prostate cancer: Baseline data from a large randomized controlled trial

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Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the standard treatment for men with advanced prostate cancer. ADT decreases bone mineral density (BMD) and increases fracture risk although there is limited information about the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis during ADT. We evaluated the baseline data from a large fracture prevention study to better characterize the prevalence of ostepenia and osteoporosis in men receiving ADT for prostate cancer. Methods: In an ongoing phase 3 fracture prevention study, 1,392 men = 50 years old with histologically documented prostate cancer and receiving ADT were randomized to placebo or toremifene 80 mg, a selective estrogen receptor modulator. The phase 3 study included men at increased risk of fracture based on age = 70 years or low baseline BMD of the hip or spine as assessed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Subjects with metabolic bone disease or receiving treatment for osteoporosis were excluded. In the current analyses, we report the baseline BMD and prevalence of osteopenia (T score -1.0 to -2.5 total hip, femoral neck or spine) and osteoporosis (T score = -2.5 total hip, femoral neck or spine) for the 1,139 subjects older than 70 years. The analyses were restricted to subjects =70 years because these subjects were included in the study regardless of baseline BMD. Results: Mean (± standard deviation) age was 76 ± 7 years. Mean duration on ADT was 39 ± 36 months. For men 70 years of age or older, mean T scores for the total hip, femoral neck, and spine are -1.01 ± 1.14, -1.50 ± 1.06 and 0.37 ± 1.88 respectively. A total of 73% of subjects 70 years of age or older were classified with osteopenia (55%) or osteoporosis (18%). Conclusions: In this large cross- sectional analysis, the vast majority of older men receiving ADT for prostate cancer have either osteopenia or osteoporosis. These observations provide further evidence that close attention to skeletal health is warranted during ADT for prostate cancer.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.