The results of 2013 survey to evaluate Laparoscopic and Partial nephrectomy practice in the United Kingdom

This article is an editorial, and it doesn't include an abstract. Full text of this article is available in HTML and PDF.Cite this article as: Vasdev N, Mafeld S, Fuge O, Lane T, Boustead G, Adshead JM, Soomro NA. The results of 2013 survey to evaluate laparoscopic and partial nephrectomy practice in the United Kingdom. Int J Cancer Ther Oncol 2014; 2(2):02022.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14319/ijcto.0202.

Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of computed tomography changes in adults with cystic fibrosis treated with elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor: a retrospective observational study

Introduction: The availability of highly effective triple cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator combination therapy with elexacaftor–tezacaftor–ivacaftor (ETI) has improved pulmonary outcomes and quality of life of people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). The aim of this study was to assess computed tomography (CT) changes under ETI visually with the Brody score and quantitatively with dedicated software, and to correlate CT measures with parameters of clinical response.Methods: Twenty two adult pwCF with two consecutive CT scans before and after ETI treatment initiation were retrospectively included. CT was assessed visually employing the Brody score and quantitatively by YACTA, a well-evaluated scientific software computing airway dimensions and lung parenchyma with wall percentage (WP), wall thickness (WT), lumen area (LA), bronchiectasis index (BI), lung volume and mean lung density (MLD) as parameters. Changes in CT metrics were evaluated and the visual and quantitative parameters were correlated with each other and with clinical changes in sweat chloride concentration, spirometry [percent predicted of forced expiratory volume in one second (ppFEV1)] and body mass index (BMI).Results: The mean (SD) Brody score improved with ETI [55 (12) vs. 38 (15); p < 0.001], incl. sub-scores for mucus plugging, peribronchial thickening, and parenchymal changes (all p < 0.001), but not for bronchiectasis (p = 0.281). Quantitatve WP (p < 0.001) and WT (p = 0.004) were reduced, conversely LA increased (p = 0.003), and BI improved (p = 0.012). Lung volume increased (p < 0.001), and MLD decreased (p < 0.001) through a reduction of ground glass opacity areas (p < 0.001). Changes of the Brody score correlated with those of quantitative parameters, exemplarily WT with the sub-score for mucus plugging (r = 0.730, p < 0.001) and peribronchial thickening (r = 0.552, p = 0.008). Changes of CT parameters correlated with those of clinical response parameters, in particular ppFEV1 with the Brody score (r = −0.606, p = 0.003) and with WT (r = −0.538, p = 0.010).Discussion: Morphological treatment response to ETI can be assessed using the Brody score as well as quantitative CT parameters. Changes in CT correlated with clinical improvements. The quantitative analysis with YACTA proved to be an objective, reproducible and simple method for monitoring lung disease, particularly with regard to future interventional clinical trials

The results of 2013 survey to evaluate Laparoscopic and Partial nephrectomy practice in the United Kingdom

This article is an editorial, and it doesn't include an abstract. Full text of this article is available in HTML and PDF.Cite this article as: Vasdev N, Mafeld S, Fuge O, Lane T, Boustead G, Adshead JM, Soomro NA. The results of 2013 survey to evaluate laparoscopic and partial nephrectomy practice in the United Kingdom. Int J Cancer Ther Oncol 2014; 2(2):02022.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14319/ijcto.0202.2</p

DataSheet1_Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of computed tomography changes in adults with cystic fibrosis treated with elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor: a retrospective observational study.docx

Introduction: The availability of highly effective triple cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator combination therapy with elexacaftor–tezacaftor–ivacaftor (ETI) has improved pulmonary outcomes and quality of life of people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). The aim of this study was to assess computed tomography (CT) changes under ETI visually with the Brody score and quantitatively with dedicated software, and to correlate CT measures with parameters of clinical response.Methods: Twenty two adult pwCF with two consecutive CT scans before and after ETI treatment initiation were retrospectively included. CT was assessed visually employing the Brody score and quantitatively by YACTA, a well-evaluated scientific software computing airway dimensions and lung parenchyma with wall percentage (WP), wall thickness (WT), lumen area (LA), bronchiectasis index (BI), lung volume and mean lung density (MLD) as parameters. Changes in CT metrics were evaluated and the visual and quantitative parameters were correlated with each other and with clinical changes in sweat chloride concentration, spirometry [percent predicted of forced expiratory volume in one second (ppFEV1)] and body mass index (BMI).Results: The mean (SD) Brody score improved with ETI [55 (12) vs. 38 (15); p 1 with the Brody score (r = −0.606, p = 0.003) and with WT (r = −0.538, p = 0.010).Discussion: Morphological treatment response to ETI can be assessed using the Brody score as well as quantitative CT parameters. Changes in CT correlated with clinical improvements. The quantitative analysis with YACTA proved to be an objective, reproducible and simple method for monitoring lung disease, particularly with regard to future interventional clinical trials.</p

Genetic Variation in CCL18 Gene Influences CCL18 Expression and Correlates with Survival in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis—Part B

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive disease with high mortality. CC-chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18) is predictive of survival in IPF. We described correlation of CCL18 serum levels with the genotype of rs2015086 C &gt; T polymorphism the CCL18-gene, which was associated with survival in a pre-antifibrotic cohort (Part-A). Herein (Part-B), we aimed to validate these findings and to study the effects of antifibrotics. Two cohorts were prospectively recruited, cohort-A (n = 61, pre-antifibrotic) and cohort B (n = 101, received antifibrotics). Baseline CCL18 serum level measurement by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA, serially in cohort B) and genotyping of rs2015086 was performed and correlated with clinical outcomes. The CT genotype was present in 15% and 31% of patients. These patients had higher CCL18 levels compared to the TT-genotype (cohort-A: 234 vs. 115.8 ng/mL, p &lt; 0.001; cohort B: 159.5 vs. 120 ng/mL, p = 0.0001). During antifibrotic therapy, CCL18 increased (p = 0.0036) regardless of rs2015086-genotype and antifibrotic-agent. In cohort-A, baseline CCL18-cutoff (&gt;120 ng/mL) and CT-genotype were associated with mortality (p = 0.041 and p = 0.0051). In cohort-B, the CCL18-cutoff (&gt;140 ng/mL) was associated with mortality (p = 0.003) and progression (p = 0.004), but not the CT/CC-genotype. In conclusion, we validated the correlation between rs2015086-genotype and CCL18 serum levels, which was predictive of (progression-free)-survival in two prospective validation cohorts