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Acute and Critical Care May 2024
PubMed: 38863364
DOI: 10.4266/acc.2023.01074 -
Nature Biotechnology Jun 2024Subclonal reconstruction algorithms use bulk DNA sequencing data to quantify parameters of tumor evolution, allowing an assessment of how cancers initiate, progress and...
Subclonal reconstruction algorithms use bulk DNA sequencing data to quantify parameters of tumor evolution, allowing an assessment of how cancers initiate, progress and respond to selective pressures. We launched the ICGC-TCGA (International Cancer Genome Consortium-The Cancer Genome Atlas) DREAM Somatic Mutation Calling Tumor Heterogeneity and Evolution Challenge to benchmark existing subclonal reconstruction algorithms. This 7-year community effort used cloud computing to benchmark 31 subclonal reconstruction algorithms on 51 simulated tumors. Algorithms were scored on seven independent tasks, leading to 12,061 total runs. Algorithm choice influenced performance substantially more than tumor features but purity-adjusted read depth, copy-number state and read mappability were associated with the performance of most algorithms on most tasks. No single algorithm was a top performer for all seven tasks and existing ensemble strategies were unable to outperform the best individual methods, highlighting a key research need. All containerized methods, evaluation code and datasets are available to support further assessment of the determinants of subclonal reconstruction accuracy and development of improved methods to understand tumor evolution.
PubMed: 38862616
DOI: 10.1038/s41587-024-02250-y -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Jun 2024Changes in sleep and dreams are often observed during pregnancy. Dreaming may represent privileged access to the inner world of individuals, providing relevant... (Review)
Review
Changes in sleep and dreams are often observed during pregnancy. Dreaming may represent privileged access to the inner world of individuals, providing relevant information about their well-being. For this reason, a growing but heterogeneous literature has investigated dream experiences of pregnant women. The present paper aimed to systematically review the available evidence on the relationship between pregnancy and oneric activity, focusing on dream and nightmare frequency, dream contents, and emotional features. Moreover, dream changes between pre-partum and post-partum periods and the impact of previous pregnancy-related adverse events on dreaming have been summarized. Overall, 17 studies have been examined. The reviewed evidence suggests that women tend to have an abundant production of dreams and nightmares during pregnancy, and some results support the view that a high rate of dream recall is associated with poor sleep quality. Most studies have shown a high presence of pregnancy-related dream content, likely reflecting waking experiences and concerns. Additionally, dreaming may promote psychological preparation and activation of functional coping strategies to face life changes after childbirth.
PubMed: 38852848
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105763 -
Bulletin Du Cancer Jun 2024
PubMed: 38851993
DOI: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2024.04.008 -
Omega Jun 2024Pregnancy can be associated with risk factors that may lead to fetal loss, which is a profoundly distressing event impacting the psychological well-being, family...
Pregnancy can be associated with risk factors that may lead to fetal loss, which is a profoundly distressing event impacting the psychological well-being, family dynamics, and overall quality of life of women. The present study aimed to explore women's lived experiences of fetal death. Conducted in 2023, this study employed a descriptive phenomenological approach, utilizing purposeful sampling to interview 12 pregnant women with a history of fetal loss. Data analysis was conducted using the seven-step method of Colaizzi. The study identified five main themes and fifteen sub-themes capturing women's experiences of fetal death. These themes include unfulfilled dreams, transitioning from happiness to grief, varied reactions among individuals, viewing a new healthy baby as a source of renewed hope, and the enduring long-term effects of fetal loss. Fetal death emerges as a deeply painful experience fraught with challenges for affected women. As such, these women require specialized attention from healthcare professionals, particularly midwives, gynecologists, and family specialists.
PubMed: 38850164
DOI: 10.1177/00302228241261109 -
Foot and Ankle Surgery : Official... May 2024The study examines the characteristics and outcomes of foot-originating malignant bone tumors via Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database analysis.
BACKGROUND
The study examines the characteristics and outcomes of foot-originating malignant bone tumors via Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database analysis.
METHODS
A retrospective review of 14,695 malignant bone tumor cases from 2000 to 2019 was conducted.
RESULTS
Of the eligible cases, 147 (2.3 %) were foot-origin tumors, typically smaller and more commonly treated with surgery than those in other locations. These tumors were more frequently treated with surgical resection, with a higher proportion undergoing amputation. In contrast, foot-origin tumors were less often managed with chemotherapy and radiation. Foot-origin tumors exhibited higher survival rates compared to non-foot-origin tumors as shown in univariate analysis, although multivariate analysis did not reflect significant differences.
CONCLUSION
Foot-originating malignant bone tumors tend to be smaller and are frequently surgically treated, correlating with favorable survival outcomes. These findings point to early detection as a potential factor in the improved survival rates, not necessarily the tumor's origin.
PubMed: 38849215
DOI: 10.1016/j.fas.2024.05.016 -
Journal of Adolescence Jun 2024In the context of rural Bihar where few women work outside the home, what scope do adolescent girls and young women have to transition into wage work and careers? While...
BACKGROUND
In the context of rural Bihar where few women work outside the home, what scope do adolescent girls and young women have to transition into wage work and careers? While the mobility of girls is still widely restricted to secure their marriageability, the spread of higher schooling and the internet has inflated aspirations and levelled them out across boys, girls and social classes.
METHODS
The present study drew on 45 focus group discussions and 73 in-depth interviews among adolescent girls and young women and related stakeholders to develop 32 cases of transitioning girls across four districts of rural Bihar in India. The qualitative data were collected in 2022 and analysed using a combination of thematic and comparative narrative analyses.
RESULTS
The analysis identified some common features of transitioning girls and their pathways. Many girls had been forced by circumstance-household shocks or chronic poverty-to earn money, thereby building their skills and self-efficacy. Others were from families where progressive values ensured their mobility and exposure. Yet others transitioned "by stealth." But all girls had the backing of at least one parent and all had to learn to navigate public space while safeguarding their reputations. By researching actual pathways (rather than distant dreams), the study identifies a variety of transition outcomes, including "good" jobs as teachers, nurses, and police officers, "low entry" jobs in factories and new services, and full-time businesses built from scratch.
CONCLUSION
The paper suggests that interventions be designed separately for these distinct outcomes and that efforts are best directed towards girls already "self-transitioning" and demonstrating the requisite resolve and self-efficacy.
PubMed: 38845138
DOI: 10.1002/jad.12358 -
Public Health in Practice (Oxford,... Jun 2024We aimed to evaluate lesson learnt from a pilot project in Mozambique focused on point-of-care (POC) HbA1c testing for diabetes management in primary health care...
AIMS
We aimed to evaluate lesson learnt from a pilot project in Mozambique focused on point-of-care (POC) HbA1c testing for diabetes management in primary health care facilities.
METHODS
Over a three-year period, several health centers were equipped with POC HbA1c testing machines. The evaluation involved 12 months of data collection, interviews with patients and staff, and regular supervision visits.
RESULTS
The project screened over 22,000 individuals and provided HbA1c testing to 2362 diabetes patients. Among the analyzed results, 65.7 % had HbA1c levels below 7 %, 10.9 % between 7 % and 8.5 %, and 23.4 % above 8.5 %. POC testing showed advantages such as reduced costs and improved workload management.
CONCLUSIONS
Limited access to HbA1c testing remains a challenge in African countries. The pilot project demonstrated the feasibility of POC HbA1c testing and highlighted the need for increased efforts to make it more widely available, leading to improved diabetes management and patient outcomes.
PubMed: 38840715
DOI: 10.1016/j.puhip.2024.100504 -
Drugs in R&D Jun 2024A prospective, postmarketing observational study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of lemborexant (LEM) tablets in daily clinical practice in Japan. No...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
A prospective, postmarketing observational study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of lemborexant (LEM) tablets in daily clinical practice in Japan. No other studies of a similar size have been conducted since the marketing approval of LEM, making this the first report of its kind.
METHODS
Insomnia patients (n = 550) administered LEM (5-10 mg daily) for the first time were enrolled. Adverse events were collected for target events (somnolence, parasomnia, narcolepsy and associated conditions, suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior). Overall improvement of insomnia symptoms was assessed by the investigator based on the patient's complaint. Subjective sleep onset latency (sSOL) and subjective total sleep time (sTST) were investigated as sleep parameters.
RESULTS
A case report form was obtained from 539 patients. The incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) was 7.65% for somnolence, 1.76% for nightmares, 0.59% for abnormal dreams, and 0.20% for sleep paralysis. No serious ADRs or ADRs related to suicidal ideation or suicidal behavior were observed. The efficacy rate at the final evaluation was 80.83%. Decreased sSOL and increased sTST were observed as assessed starting from Week 8 of treatment.
CONCLUSION
Based on the results of this study, the safety result was consistent with the safety profile described in the current package insert. Efficacy results also indicated that LEM is clinically useful.
PubMed: 38839690
DOI: 10.1007/s40268-024-00462-w -
JACC. Heart Failure Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Heart Failure; Male; Female; Aged; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38839148
DOI: 10.1016/j.jchf.2024.04.007