Objective:To analyze early improvements in clinical indicators among patients with pre-diabetes (pre-DM), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and hypertension (HT) participating in the Chronic Disease Co-Care (CDCC) Pilot Scheme in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People′s Republic of China (HKSAR). Methods:This longitudinal study enrolled participants with pre-DM, T2DM, and HT who participated in the CDCC Pilot Scheme between November 2023 and May 2024. Baseline clinical data was collected. All participants were managed followed standardized protocols: family doctors issued prescriptions in accordance with the Hong Kong Reference Framework by the Health Bureau of the Government of the HKSAR, District Health Centre (DHC) and DHC Express provided health education, and personalized counseling by allied health professionals (nurses, optometrists, and dietitians). During the screening phase, screening costs, including consultations and related laboratory investigations, were fully covered by the Government of the HKSAR, while partial subsidies were available during the treatment phase. Participants were followed for 6 months. Primary outcomes were glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) for pre-DM and T2DM, and blood pressure for HT. Secondary outcomes included body mass index (BMI), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and the Framingham model-based 10-year cardiovascular risk score. Changes in clinical indicators from baseline to 6 months were analyzed using a linear mixed model, with subgroup analyses by age, sex, and baseline Framingham 10-year cardiovascular disease risk score. Results:A total of 3 910 participants were included in the study, comprising 903 (23.1%) with pre-DM, 478 (12.2%) with T2DM, and 2 529 (64.7%) with HT. Pre-DM participants had an age of (61.4±7.0) years with 641 (71.0%) females; T2DM participants had an age of (60.4±7.4) years with 247 (51.7%) females; HT participants had an age of (60.8±7.9) years with 1 237 (48.9%) females. At 6 months, HbA1c levels declined in the pre-DM and T2DM groups by -0.09% (95% CI:-0.10%--0.07%) and -1.06% (95% CI:-1.21%--0.91%), respectively. In the HT group, systolic blood pressure decreased by 15.3 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) (95% CI:-16.0--14.6 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure by 8.6 mmHg (95% CI:-9.0--8.1 mmHg). BMI decreased in the three groups, with the largest reduction in the T2DM group (-1.04 kg/m 2, 95% CI:-1.22--0.86 kg/m 2). TC, TG, and LDL-C levels decreased in the three groups (all P<0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed that among HT participants, individuals with a baseline Framingham 10-year cardiovascular disease risk of ≥20% experienced greater reductions in blood pressure compared to those with a risk <20% ( P<0.05). Additionally, male participants demonstrated significantly lower diastolic blood pressure than female participants ( P<0.05). Among participants with T2DM, males exhibited greater reductions in HbA1c levels than females, and participants aged 45-64 years showed significantly lower HbA1c levels compared to those aged 65 years and older (both P<0.05). Conclusions:In the early phase of the CDCC Pilot Scheme, glycemic, blood pressure, lipid, and BMI indicators improved among patients with pre-DM, T2DM, and HT. These effects were particularly pronounced in males and in individuals younger than 65 years of age.

Objective:To analyze early improvements in clinical indicators among patients with pre-diabetes (pre-DM), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and hypertension (HT) participating in the Chronic Disease Co-Care (CDCC) Pilot Scheme in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People′s Republic of China (HKSAR). Methods:This longitudinal study enrolled participants with pre-DM, T2DM, and HT who participated in the CDCC Pilot Scheme between November 2023 and May 2024. Baseline clinical data was collected. All participants were managed followed standardized protocols: family doctors issued prescriptions in accordance with the Hong Kong Reference Framework by the Health Bureau of the Government of the HKSAR, District Health Centre (DHC) and DHC Express provided health education, and personalized counseling by allied health professionals (nurses, optometrists, and dietitians). During the screening phase, screening costs, including consultations and related laboratory investigations, were fully covered by the Government of the HKSAR, while partial subsidies were available during the treatment phase. Participants were followed for 6 months. Primary outcomes were glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) for pre-DM and T2DM, and blood pressure for HT. Secondary outcomes included body mass index (BMI), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and the Framingham model-based 10-year cardiovascular risk score. Changes in clinical indicators from baseline to 6 months were analyzed using a linear mixed model, with subgroup analyses by age, sex, and baseline Framingham 10-year cardiovascular disease risk score. Results:A total of 3 910 participants were included in the study, comprising 903 (23.1%) with pre-DM, 478 (12.2%) with T2DM, and 2 529 (64.7%) with HT. Pre-DM participants had an age of (61.4±7.0) years with 641 (71.0%) females; T2DM participants had an age of (60.4±7.4) years with 247 (51.7%) females; HT participants had an age of (60.8±7.9) years with 1 237 (48.9%) females. At 6 months, HbA1c levels declined in the pre-DM and T2DM groups by -0.09% (95% CI:-0.10%--0.07%) and -1.06% (95% CI:-1.21%--0.91%), respectively. In the HT group, systolic blood pressure decreased by 15.3 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) (95% CI:-16.0--14.6 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure by 8.6 mmHg (95% CI:-9.0--8.1 mmHg). BMI decreased in the three groups, with the largest reduction in the T2DM group (-1.04 kg/m 2, 95% CI:-1.22--0.86 kg/m 2). TC, TG, and LDL-C levels decreased in the three groups (all P<0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed that among HT participants, individuals with a baseline Framingham 10-year cardiovascular disease risk of ≥20% experienced greater reductions in blood pressure compared to those with a risk <20% ( P<0.05). Additionally, male participants demonstrated significantly lower diastolic blood pressure than female participants ( P<0.05). Among participants with T2DM, males exhibited greater reductions in HbA1c levels than females, and participants aged 45-64 years showed significantly lower HbA1c levels compared to those aged 65 years and older (both P<0.05). Conclusions:In the early phase of the CDCC Pilot Scheme, glycemic, blood pressure, lipid, and BMI indicators improved among patients with pre-DM, T2DM, and HT. These effects were particularly pronounced in males and in individuals younger than 65 years of age.

OBJECTIVE

This study compared the demographics, clinical profile, treatment, and outcomes of retinoblastoma patients seen at medical institutions in the Philippines between two time periods: 2010 to 2015 and 2016 to 2020.

METHODS

This was a multicenter, analytical, cohort study using review of medical charts and databases of retinoblastoma patients seen in 11 medical institutions from 2010 to 2020.

RESULTS

There were 636 patients (821 eyes) included in this study: 330 patients were seen in 2010 to 2015 while 306 in 2016 to 2020. More cases per annum were seen in the latter timeline. The number of patients with unilateral disease was not significantly different between the two time periods (p=0.51). Age at onset of symptom, age at initial consultation, and delay in consult were also not significantly different between the two time periods (p > 0.05). Patients had significantly different distributions of intraocular grades (p < 0.0001) and systemic staging (p < 0.0001) between the two time periods. Enucleation was the most common surgical treatment performed in both timelines. There was significant difference in the status of patients based on the need for systemic chemotherapy (p < 0.01). There was significant difference in outcome between the two time periods, including the proportions of living and deceased patients.

CONCLUSION

This study compared the most comprehensive data on retinoblastoma patients in the country. There was no improvement in early health seeking behavior based on similar age at initial consult and delay in consult. Enucleation remained the most common treatment mode as opposed to chemotherapy due to similar percentage of patients with unilateral disease, an indication for enucleation rather than chemotherapy.

Human ; Retinoblastoma ; Philippines ; Epidemiology ; Treatment ; Therapeutics

PURPOSE: The aim was to study the correlation between cuff size and outcome after implantation of an AMS 800 artificial urinary sphincter. METHODS: A total of 473 male patients with an AMS 800 sphincter implanted between 2012 and 2014 were analyzed in a retrospective multicenter cohort study performed as part of the Central European Debates on Male Incontinence (DOMINO) Project. RESULTS: Single cuffs were implanted in 54.5% and double cuffs in 45.5% of the patients. The cuffs used had a median circumference of 4.5 cm. Within a median follow of 18 months, urethral erosion occurred in 12.8% of the cases and was associated significantly more often with small cuff sizes (P<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that, apart from cuff size (P=0.03), prior irradiation (P<0.001) and the penoscrotal approach (P=0.036) were associated with an increased erosion rate. Continence rate tended to be highest with median cuff sizes (4–5.5 cm). CONCLUSIONS: Apart from irradiation and the penoscrotal approach, small cuff size is a risk factor for urethral erosion. Results are best with cuff sizes of 4.5–5.5 cm.
Cohort Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Urinary Sphincter, Artificial

PURPOSE: All-ceramic restorations required extensive tooth preparation. The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate a minimally invasive preparation and thickness of monolithic zirconia crowns, which would provide sufficient mechanical endurance and strength. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Crowns with thickness of 0.2 mm (group 0.2, n=32) or of 0.5 mm (group 0.5, n=32) were milled from zirconia and fixed with resin-based adhesives (groups 0.2A, 0.5A) or zinc phosphate cements (groups 0.2C, 0.5C). Half of the samples in each subgroup (n=8) underwent thermal cycling and mechanical loading (TCML)(TC: 5℃ and 55℃, 2×3,000 cycles, 2 min/cycle; ML: 50 N, 1.2×106 cycles), while the other samples were stored in water (37℃/24 h). Survival rates were compared (Kaplan-Maier). The specimens surviving TCML were loaded to fracture and the maximal fracture force was determined (ANOVA; Bonferroni; α=.05). The fracture mode was analyzed. RESULTS: In both 0.5 groups, all crowns survived TCML, and the comparison of fracture strength among crowns with and without TCML showed no significant difference (P=.628). Four crowns in group 0.2A and all of the crowns in group 0.2C failed during TCML. The fracture strength after 24 hours of the cemented 0.2 mm-thick crowns was significantly lower than that of adhesive bonded crowns. All cemented crowns provided fracture in the crown, while about 80% of the adhesively bonded crowns fractured through crown and die. CONCLUSION: 0.5 mm thick monolithic crowns possessed sufficient strength to endure physiologic performance, regardless of the type of cementation. Fracture strength of the 0.2 mm cemented crowns was too low for clinical application.
Adhesives ; Cementation ; Ceramics ; Crowns ; In Vitro Techniques ; Survival Rate ; Tooth Preparation ; Water ; Zinc

Objective To assess the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities as well as to determine the flavonoids and phenolic acids content of active fractions. Methods Two medicinal plant samples were extracted successively in Soxhlet apparatus with n-hexane, dichloromethane, acetonitrile, ethyl acetate, methanol and n-butanol. Five methods were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity. Anti-inflammatory activity was done through the inhibition of the cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2). Polyphenolic compounds were analyzed by using a spectrophotometrical and high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) methods. Results The data showed that the stem leaves extracts of Commiphora africana and Loeseneriella africana possessed significant in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Polar extracts had radical scavenging effects and they reduced iron (III). The prostaglandin production was significantly stopped by acetonitrile and methanol extracts. These biological activities were supported by some bioactive compounds quantified by using the HPLC-MS. p-Coumaric acid, ferulic acid, isoquercitrin, quercitrin, quercetin, rutin, kaempferol and apigenin were the most metabolites quantified. Conclusions The present study may explain the effectiveness of plants in traditional medicine of Burkina Faso, singularly Commiphora africana and Loeseneriella africana. The next investigation was to sub-fractionate the methanol fraction in order to isolate new antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory compounds.