Medical principles and practice : international journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre
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There is a lack of studies evaluating the COVID-19 pandemic effect on breast cancer detection according to age-group. This study aimed to assess the pandemic impact on the trend of mammograms, breast biopsies, and breast cancer stage at diagnosis according to age-group. ⋯ The pandemic has changed the stationary or increasing trend to a decreasing or stationary trend of mammograms, breast biopsies, and tumors at stages 0 to II but has not influenced the increasing trend of tumors at stages III and IV in all age-groups.
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Meta Analysis
Efficacy and Safety of Ac-225 PSMA Radio Ligand Therapy in Metastatic Prostate Cancer. A Systematic Review and Metanalysis.
Actinium-225 (Ac-225) labelled PSMA RLT has been tested recently in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), with encouraging results. Ac-225, being an alpha emitter, is expected to have higher efficacy and fewer side effects compared to the beta-emitters such as Lutetium-177. We have performed a meta-analysis to assess the therapeutic responses, survival effects, and significant side effects of Ac-225 PSMA RLT in patients with mCRPC. ⋯ Ac-PSMA RLT is a safe and potentially effective treatment option for patients with mCRPC.
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Seizures are common in palliative care patients and its control is essential in the management of these patients as it helps to reduce suffering at the end of life. Subcutaneous levetiracetam has been used off-license for seizure control in palliative care. ⋯ Subcutaneous levetiracetam was well tolerated and effective in controlling seizures in palliative care when oral administration or intravenous access was not an option. Randomized controlled trials are needed to elucidate the efficacy and tolerability of subcutaneous levetiracetam in clinical practice.
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Satisfactory masticatory function is a significant indicator of improved oral health-related quality of life in older adults, either with or without artificial teeth. The purpose of this study was to examine masticatory performance of older adults with different prosthodontic reconstructions and occlusion, as well as to compare subjective and objective assessment of chewing performance. ⋯ This study revealed a strong positive correlation between the subjective masticatory assessment in older adults using the validated questionnaire and the objective clinical test of the mixing ability of two chewing gums. Our data on influence of the number and the type of FTU on masticatory performance will be valuable when planning prosthodontic therapy.
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The aims of the study were to assess the prevalence of steatopygia on bone scintigraphy of obese patients and to evaluate its effect on the appearance of the lumbar spine, and the added benefit of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and SPECT/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) in overcoming possible artifacts. ⋯ Steatopygia is common on bone scintigraphy of obese patients, higher in females and morbidly obese patients. Obesity-related artifacts in bone scintigraphy, including attenuation effect and edge artifact, are common in this patient group. SPECT or SPECT/CT improves the diagnostic accuracy by overcoming the effects of steatopygia seen on planar images.