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Background
Genital human papillomavirus (HPV)-infections are common in the general population and are responsible for relevant numbers of epithelial malignancies. Much data on the HPV-prevalence is available for secondary immunodeficiencies, especially for patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infection. Little is known about the genital HPV-prevalence in patients with primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs).
Methods
We performed a cross-sectional study of patients with PIDs and took genital swabs from male and female patients, which were analyzed with polymerase chain reaction for the presence of HPV-DNA. Clinical and laboratory data was collected to identify risk factors.
Results
28 PID patients were included in this study. 10 of 28 (35.7%) had HPV-DNA in their genital swabs. 6 patients had high-risk HPV-types (21.4%). Most patients had asymptomatic HPV-infections, as genital warts were rare (2 of 28 patients) and HPV-associated malignancy was absent. Differences in the HPV-positivity regarding clinical PID-diagnosis, duration of PID, age, sex, immunosuppression, immunoglobulin replacement, or circumcision in males were not present. HPV-positive PID patients had higher numbers of T cells (CD3\(^+\)), of cytotoxic T cells (CD3\(^+\)/CD8\(^+\)), of transitional B cells (CD19\(^+\)/CD38\(^{++}\)/CD10\(^+\)/IgD\(^+\)), and of plasmablasts (CD19\(^+\)/CD38\(^+\)/CD27\(^{++}\)/IgD\(^-\)) compared to HPV-negative.
Conclusion
PID patients exhibit a high rate of genital HPV-infections with a high rate of high-risk HPV-types. Regular screening for symptomatic genital HPV-infection and HPV-associated malignancy in PID patients seems recommendable.
Purpose
Electrosurgery is the gold-standard procedure for the treatment of cervical dysplasia. The quality of the outcome depends on the accuracy of performance, which underlines the role of adequate training of surgeons, especially, as this procedure is often performed by novice surgeons. According to our knowledge, medical simulation has up until now lacked a model, which focuses on realistically simulating the treatment of cervical dysplasia with the concerning anatomy.
Methods and Result
In our work, we present a model created using 3D printing for holistically simulating diagnostic, as well as surgical interventions of the cervix, as realistically as possible.
Conclusion
This novel simulator is compared to an existing model and both are evaluated. By doing so, we aim to provide novice gynecologists with standardized and high-quality simulation models for practicing to improve their proficiency.
Background Current research in breast cancer focuses on individualization of local and systemic therapies with adequate escalation or de-escalation strategies. As a result, about two-thirds of breast cancer patients can be cured, but up to one-third eventually develop metastatic disease, which is considered incurable with currently available treatment options. This underscores the importance to develop a metastatic recurrence score to escalate or de-escalate treatment strategies. Patients and methods Data from 10,499 patients were available from 17 clinical cancer registries (BRENDA-project. In total, 8566 were used to develop the BRENDA-Index. This index was calculated from the regression coefficients of a Cox regression model for metastasis-free survival (MFS). Based on this index, patients were categorized into very high, high, intermediate, low, and very low risk groups forming the BRENDA-Score. Bootstrapping was used for internal validation and an independent dataset of 1883 patients for external validation. The predictive accuracy was checked by Harrell's c-index. In addition, the BRENDA-Score was analyzed as a marker for overall survival (OS) and compared to the Nottingham prognostic score (NPS). Results: Intrinsic subtypes, tumour size, grading, and nodal status were identified as statistically significant prognostic factors in the multivariate analysis. The five prognostic groups of the BRENDA-Score showed highly significant (p < 0.001) differences regarding MFS:low risk: hazard ratio (HR) = 2.4, 95%CI (1.7–3.3); intermediate risk: HR = 5.0, 95%CI.(3.6–6.9); high risk: HR = 10.3, 95%CI (7.4–14.3) and very high risk: HR = 18.1, 95%CI (13.2–24.9). The external validation showed congruent results. A multivariate Cox regression model for OS with BRENDA-Score and NPS as covariates showed that of these two scores only the BRENDA-Score is significant (BRENDA-Score p < 0.001; NPS p = 0.447). Therefore, the BRENDA-Score is also a good prognostic marker for OS. Conclusion: The BRENDA-Score is an internally and externally validated robust predictive tool for metastatic recurrence in breast cancer patients. It is based on routine parameters easily accessible in daily clinical care. In addition, the BRENDA-Score is a good prognostic marker for overall survival. Highlights: The BRENDA-Score is a highly significant predictive tool for metastatic recurrence of breast cancer patients. The BRENDA-Score is stable for at least the first five years after primary diagnosis, i.e., the sensitivities and specificities of this predicting system is rather similar to the NPI with AUCs between 0.76 and 0.81 the BRENDA-Score is a good prognostic marker for overall survival.
Patienten mit Lungenkarzinom sind bzgl. Malnutrition besonders gefährdet. Zu-dem wird dieses Problem selten früh genug erkannt und adäquat therapiert, obwohl es weit verbreitet ist. Es gibt Untersuchungen, die Ernährung und Er-nährungszustand bei Patenten mit Lungenkarzinom untersuchen, wobei die Forderung nach weiteren Studien besteht. Dementsprechend wurden in der vorliegenden Studie folgende Fragestellungen formuliert:
1. Wie ist der Verlauf von BMI und Phasenwinkel bei Patienten mit Lungen-karzinom? Gibt es hier Unterschiede bei OP oder Bestrahlung sowie uni- oder multimodaler Therapie?
2. Wie ist der Verlauf von Fatigue, Schmerz, Dysphagie und wöchentlichem Verzehr von Quark oder Hüttenkäse sowie regelmäßiger Mahlzeiten und der Einnahme von Trinknahrung?
3. Gibt es Zusammenhänge zwischen BMI und Phasenwinkel als Indikator des Ernährungszustands sowie Beschwerden und Ernährung?
In der vorliegenden Untersuchung wurden 83 stationäre Patienten mit neu dia-gnostiziertem oder rezidiviertem Lungenkarzinom an der Missionsärztlichen Klinik Würzburg untersucht. 64 Patienten wurden prospektiv und 19 retrospektiv für einen Zeitraum von 6 Monaten betrachtet. Schwerpunkte der Untersuchung waren Ernährungszustand, Symptomlast und Ernährung der Patienten. Sämtli-che Patienten hatten sich mindestens einer Form von antitumoraler Therapie bestehend aus Chemotherapie, Bestrahlung oder Operation sowie einer Ernäh-rungsberatung durch eine Ökotrophologin unterzogen.
Das Kollektiv wurde in die Gruppen 1 bis 3 eingeteilt. Gruppe 1 (N = 19) wurde rückblickend, Gruppe 2 (N = 23) und 3 (N = 41) prospektiv betrachtet. Gruppe 3 wurde gebildet, um jene Patienten der Datenerhebung abzubilden, bei denen teilweise unvollständige Daten vorlagen. Nur Gruppe 2 und 3 wurden mit Fra-gebögen zu Monat 1, 3 und 6 befragt. Diese Bögen bestanden aus dem Frage-bogen QLQ-C30 (Version 3.0) nach EORTC (European Organisation for Re-search and Treatment of Cancer) und einem selbst entworfenen Fragebogen mit Fokus auf Ökotrophologie bei Krebserkrankungen. Aus ersterem Fragebo-gen wurden nur die Symptome Fatigue und Schmerz in der Auswertung unter-sucht. Aus letzterem Fragebogen wurden lediglich das Symptom Dysphagie und die Fragen nach dem wöchentlichen Konsum von Quark oder Hüttenkäse, der Einnahme regelmäßiger Mahlzeiten und der Einnahme von Zusatznahrung in der Auswertung näher betrachtet.
Bei Betrachtung von BMI und Phasenwinkel wurde jeweils ein signifikanter (p < 0,05), schwacher Abfall festgestellt. Die Veränderungen des BMI nach Be-strahlung oder OP bzw. ohne die jeweilige Behandlung waren nicht signifikant. Ebenso konnten keine signifikanten Veränderungen für den Verlauf des BMI unter uni- oder multimodaler Therapie gefunden werden. Für den Verlauf von Fatigue, Schmerz, Dysphagie und wöchentlichem Verzehr von Quark oder Hüt-tenkäse wurden keine signifikanten Veränderungen festgestellt. Zudem waren die Angaben zu den Veränderungen regelmäßig eingenommener Mahlzeiten und der Einnahme von Zusatznahrung nicht signifikant. Eine Testung auf Signi-fikanz für die Werte im Zusammenhang mit dem Phasenwinkel war aufgrund kleiner Fallzahlen nicht sinnvoll.
Für die Korrelation zwischen dem Verlauf des BMI und Dysphagie, Schmerz, Fatigue und wöchentlichem Verzehr von Quark oder Hüttenkäse konnte nur ein Trend festgestellt werden. Eine Korrelation des Phasenwinkels konnte wegen kleiner Fallzahlen nicht durchgeführt werden. Zwischen dem Verlauf von Fati-gue, Schmerz, Dysphagie und wöchentlichem Verzehr von Quark oder Hütten-käse fanden sich zum Teil signifikante Korrelationen.
Weitere Untersuchungen mit ausreichend großer Fallzahl sind nötig, um die Datenlage der Malnutrition bei Patienten mit Lungenkarzinom in Deutschland zu verbessern. In der klinischen Praxis sollte Ernährung und Ernährungszustand mehr Beachtung geschenkt werden.
Diese Befunde geben Hinweise darauf, dass Patienten mit Lungenkarzinom eine Verschlechterung des Ernährungszustands erleiden und dass Ernährung und Symptome miteinander zusammenhängen können.
Brain metastases are the most severe tumorous spread during breast cancer disease. They are associated with a limited quality of life and a very poor overall survival. A subtype of extracellular vesicles, exosomes, are sequestered by all kinds of cells, including tumor cells, and play a role in cell-cell communication. Exosomes contain, among others, microRNAs (miRs). Exosomes can be taken up by other cells in the body, and their active molecules can affect the cellular process in target cells. Tumor-secreted exosomes can affect the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and have an impact on brain metastases forming. Serum samples from healthy donors, breast cancer patients with primary tumors, or with brain, bone, or visceral metastases were used to isolate exosomes and exosomal miRs. Exosomes expressed exosomal markers CD63 and CD9, and their amount did not vary significantly between groups, as shown by Western blot and ELISA. The selected 48 miRs were detected using real-time PCR. Area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy. We identified two miRs with the potential to serve as prognostic markers for brain metastases. Hsa-miR-576-3p was significantly upregulated, and hsa-miR-130a-3p was significantly downregulated in exosomes from breast cancer patients with cerebral metastases with AUC: 0.705 and 0.699, respectively. Furthermore, correlation of miR levels with tumor markers revealed that hsa-miR-340-5p levels were significantly correlated with the percentage of Ki67-positive tumor cells, while hsa-miR-342-3p levels were inversely correlated with tumor staging. Analysis of the expression levels of miRs in serum exosomes from breast cancer patients has the potential to identify new, non-invasive, blood-borne prognostic molecular markers to predict the potential for brain metastasis in breast cancer. Additional functional analyzes and careful validation of the identified markers are required before their potential future diagnostic use.
Evaluating the value of a 3D printed model for hands-on training of gynecological pelvic examination
(2022)
Background
Simulation in the field of gynecological pelvic examination with educational purposes holds great potential. In the current manuscript we evaluate a 3D printed model of the female pelvis, which improves practical teaching of the gynecological pelvic examination for medical staff.
Methods
We evaluated the benefit of a 3D printed model of the female pelvis (Pelvisio®) as part of a seminar (“skills training”) for teaching gynecological examination to medical students. Each student was randomly assigned to Group A or B by picking a ticket from a box. Group A underwent the skills training without the 3D printed model. Group B experienced the same seminar with integration of the model. Both groups evaluated the seminar by answering five questions on Likert scales (1–10, 1 = “very little” or “very poor”, 10 equals “very much” or “very good”). Additionally, both groups answered three multiple-choice questions concerning pelvic anatomy (Question 6 to 8). Finally, Group B evaluated the 3D printed model with ten questions (Question 9 to 18, Likert scales, 1–10).
Results
Two of five questions concerning the students’ satisfaction with the seminar and their gained knowledge showed statistically significant better ratings in Group B (6.7 vs. 8.2 points and 8.1 vs. 8.9 points (p < 0.001 and p < 0.009). The other three questions showed no statistically significant differences between the traditional teaching setting vs. the 3D printed model (p < 0.411, p < 0.344 and p < 0.215, respectively). The overall mean score of Question 1 to 5 showed 8.4 points for Group B and 7.8 points for Group A (p < 0.001). All three multiple-choice questions, asking about female pelvic anatomy, were answered more often correctly by Group B (p < 0.001, p < 0.008 and p < 0.001, respectively). The mean score from the answers to Questions 9 to 18, only answered by Group B, showed a mean of 8.6 points, indicating, that the students approved of the model.
Conclusion
The presented 3D printed model Pelvisio® improves the education of female pelvic anatomy and examination for medical students. Hence, training this pivotal examination can be supported by a custom designed anatomical model tailored for interactive and explorative learning.
A 3D printed model of the female pelvis for practical education of gynecological pelvic examination
(2022)
Background
Pelvic palpation is a core component of every Gynecologic examination. It requires vigorous training, which is difficult due to its intimate nature, leading to a need of simulation. Up until now, there are mainly models available for mere palpation which do not offer adequate visualization of the concerning anatomical structures. In this study we present a 3D printed model of the female pelvis. It can improve both the practical teaching of gynecological pelvic examination for health care professionals and the spatial understanding of the relevant anatomy.
Methods
We developed a virtual, simplified model showing selected parts of the female pelvis. 3D printing was used to create a physical model.
Results
The life-size 3D printed model has the ability of being physically assembled step by step by its users. Consequently, it improves teaching especially when combining it with commercial phantoms, which are built solely for palpation training. This is achieved by correlating haptic and visual sensations with the resulting feedback received.
Conclusion
The presented 3D printed model of the female pelvis can be of aid for visualizing and teaching pelvic anatomy and examination to medical staff. 3D printing provides the possibility of creating, multiplying, adapting and sharing such data worldwide with little investment of resources. Thus, an important contribution to the international medical community can be made for training this challenging examination.
Background
Electrosurgical excisions are common procedures for treating cervical dysplasia and are often seen as minor surgeries. Yet, thorough training of this intervention is required, as there are considerable consequences of inadequate resections, e.g. preterm birth, the risk of recurrence, injuries and many more. Unfortunately, there is a lack of sufficiently validated possibilities of simulating electrosurgeries, which focus on high fidelity and patient safety.
Methods
A novel 3D printed simulator for examination and electrosurgical treatment of dysplastic areas of the cervix was compared with a conventional simulator. Sixty medical students experienced a seminar about cervical dysplasia. Group A underwent the seminar with the conventional and Group B with the novel simulator. After a theoretical introduction, the students were randomly assigned by picking a ticket from a box and went on to perform the hands-on training with their respective simulator. Each student first obtained colposcopic examination training. Then he or she performed five electrosurgical excisions (each). This was assessed with a validated score, to visualize their learning curve. Furthermore, adequate and inadequate resections and contacts between electrosurgical loop and vagina or speculum were counted. Both groups also assessed the seminar and their simulator with 18 questions (Likert-scales, 1–10, 1 = strongly agree / very good, 10 = strongly disagree / very bad). Group B additionally assessed the novel simulator with four questions (similar Likert-scales, 1–10).
Results
Nine of 18 questions showed statistically significant differences favoring Group B (p < 0.05). Group B also achieved more adequate R0-resections and less contacts between electrosurgical loop and vagina or speculum. The learning curves of the performed resections favored the novel simulator of Group B without statistically significant differences. The four questions focusing on certain aspects of the novel simulator indicate high appreciation of the students with a mean score of 1.6 points.
Conclusion
The presented novel simulator shows several advantages compared to the existing model. Thus, novice gynecologists can be supported with a higher quality of simulation to improve their training and thereby patient safety.