Melanoma mortality following skin cancer screening in Germany

In 2003, a skin cancer screening campaign based on total body skin examination was launched in the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. 20% of adults aged 20 and over were screened. In 2008, a 48% decline in melanoma mortality was reported. In the same year, skin screening was extended to the rest of Germany. We evaluated whether melanoma mortality trends decreased in Germany as compared with surrounding countries where skin screening is uncommon. We also evaluated whether the initial decreasing mortality trend observed in Schleswig-Holstein was maintained with a longer follow-up.  Regional and national melanoma mortality data from 1995 to 2013 were extracted from the GEKID database and the Federal Statistical Office. Mortality data for Germany and surrounding countries from 1980 to 2012 were extracted from the WHO mortality database.  Age-adjusted (European Standard Population) mortality rates were computed and joinpoint analysis performed for Schleswig-Holstein, Germany and surrounding countries.  In Schleswig-Holstein, melanoma mortality rates declined by 48% from 2003 to 2008, and from 2009 to 2013 returned to levels observed before screening initiation. During the 5 years of the national programme (2008-2012), melanoma mortality rates increased by 2.6% (95% CI -0.1 to 5.2) in men and 0.02% (95% CI -1.8 to 1.8) in women. No inflexion point in trends was identified after 2008 that could have suggested a decreasing melanoma mortality. Trends of cutaneous melanoma mortality in Germany from 1980 to 2012 did not differ from those observed in surrounding countries.  The transient decrease mortality in Schleswig-Holstein followed by return to pre-screening levels could reflect a temporal modification in the reporting of death causes. An in-depth evaluation of the screening programme is required

overall survival according to type of surgery in young 40 years early breast cancer patients a systematic meta analysis comparing breast conserving surgery versus mastectomy

Abstract Objectives Young age is an independent risk factor for local recurrence after breast conserving surgery (BCS) and whole breast radiotherapy (WBRT) for breast cancer. The aim of this study was to carry out a systematic meta-analysis to address the issue as to whether type of surgery might have an impact on overall survival (OS) of young patients with early breast cancer. Material and Methods We summarized six studies comparing OS between BCS + WBRT vs. mastectomy in young patients (≤40 years) with T1-T2 N0–N + M0 breast cancer. Primary endpoint was OS or distant metastasis free survival (DMFS). Only studies with fully adjusted Hazard Ratios (HR) were analyzed. Summary HRs were calculated through random effects models. We investigated publication bias and heterogeneity by means of sensitivity analyses and meta-regression models. Results Five population-based studies and a pooled study of two clinical trials, for a total of 22598 patients 40 years old or younger, were considered: 10898 patients underwent BCS and 11700 underwent mastectomy. After all the adjustments, including nodal status and tumor size, no difference in risk of death was found between the two groups (10% not sgnificant risk reduction in patients who underwent BCS compared to mastectomy; summary HR = 0·90; 95%CI: 0·81 to 1·00). Between-study heterogeneity was not statistically significant (I 2 = 34% and Chi-square P = 0·15). Heterogeneity investigation did not find any variable influencing results. No indication for publication bias was found (P-value = 0·37). Excluding the only study presenting DMFS the results did not change (HR = 0·88; 95%CI: 0·78 to 1·01). Conclusion Considering all the limitations, from the present meta-analysis carried out on 22598 patients it appears unlikely that mastectomy provides better OS compared to BCS + WBRT in early breast cancer patients aged 40 years or younger

Disinclusion of unerupted teeth by mean of self-ligating brackets: effect of blood contamination on shear bond strength

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of blood contamination on the shear bond strength and failure site of three different orthodontic self-ligating brackets. Study Design: 240 bovine permanent mandibular incisors were randomly divided into 12 groups of 20 specimens each. Orthodontic self-ligating brackets were tested under four different enamel surface conditions: a) dry, b) blood contamination before priming, c) blood contamination after priming, d) blood contamination before and after priming. Brackets were bonded to the teeth and subsequently tested using a Instron universal testing machine. Shear bond strength values and adhesive failure rate were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and Tukey tests (strength values), and Chi squared test (ARI Scores). Results: Non-contaminated enamel surfaces showed highest bond strengths for all self ligating brackets. Under blood-contamination shear bond strengths lowered for all brackets tested. Groups contaminated before and after primer application showed the lowest shear bond strength. Significant differences in debond locations were found among the groups under the various enamel surface conditions. Conclusions: Blood contamination of enamel during the bonding procedure lowers bond strength values of self ligating brackets, expecially when contamination occur in different times of the bonding procedure

clinical benefit and risk of death with endocrine therapy in ovarian cancer a comprehensive review and meta analysis

Abstract Background Steroid hormones promote epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) growth and their receptor expression is associated with disease outcome. Hormone therapy is frequently used in pretreated EOC, but the magnitude of activity overall and by specific agents or tumor characteristics is unknown. Methods Clinical Benefit Rates (CBR) and deaths from clinical trials of endocrine agents were meta-analyzed. Summary estimates of CBR (SCBR) and Odd Ratio for death (SOR) were calculated according with type of drug, ER and PgR status, platinum resistance, line of therapy, tumor grade and tamoxifen dose. Results Fifty-three trials in 2490 patients were analyzed. Overall, SCBR was 41% (95%CI, 0.34–0.48) for any endocrine treatment, 43% (95%CI, 0.30–0.56) for tamoxifen, 39% (95%CI, 0.29–0.50) for aromatase inhibitors and 37% (95%CI, 0.26–0.48) for progestins. The SCBR for ER + and/or PgR + tumors was 46% (95%CI, 0.34–0.57) versus 37% (95%CI, 0.27–0.48) in tumors with unknown receptors and 55% in platinum sensitive (95%CI, 0.28–0.80) versus 40% (95%CI, 0.29–0.51) in platinum resistant tumors The SOR for death calculated from 6 out of 9 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) showed a reduced mortality with endocrine therapy (SOR = 0.69, 95%CI, 0.50–0.97), with a possible tendency for a greater effect in first line and low grade tumors. The overall quality of the RCTs was low. Conclusions The activity of endocrine therapy in advanced EOC is worth considering and seems to support large properly designed randomized trials in the first treatment of hormone sensitive EOC

the science behind vitamins and natural compounds for breast cancer prevention getting the most prevention out of it

Summary This review highlights the role of vitamins and natural compounds in breast cancer prevention, with a particular focus on Vitamin D. In the last decades, both encouraging and discouraging results about the association between antioxidant supplementation and cancer have been reported to public and scientific community. Their safe and favorable toxicity profile makes them suitable to be investigated in a preventive setting. However, a recent large meta-analysis showed that treatment with beta carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E may increase mortality, whereas the potential roles of vitamin C and selenium on mortality need further study. Likewise, folate levels were not associated with reduced breast cancer risk in a recent meta-analysis. Several studies have shown that a high proportion of women at-risk for breast cancer or affected by the disease have deficient vitamin D levels, i.e., 250H-

SARS-CoV-2 Circulation in the School Setting: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The contribution of children to viral spread in schools is still debated. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies to investigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the school setting. Literature searches on 15 May 2021 yielded a total of 1088 publications, including screening, contact tracing, and seroprevalence studies. MOOSE guidelines were followed, and data were analyzed using random-effects models. From screening studies involving more than 120,000 subjects, we estimated 0.31% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.05–0.81) SARS-CoV-2 point prevalence in schools. Contact tracing studies, involving a total of 112,622 contacts of children and adults, showed that onward viral transmission was limited (2.54%, 95% CI 0.76–5.31). Young index cases were found to be 74% significantly less likely than adults to favor viral spread (odds ratio (OR) 0.26, 95% CI 0.11–0.63) and less susceptible to infection (OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.25–1.47). Lastly, from seroprevalence studies, with a total of 17,879 subjects involved, we estimated that children were 43% significantly less likely than adults to test positive for antibodies (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.49–0.68). These findings may not applied to the Omicron phase, we further planned a randomized controlled trial to verify these results

SARS-CoV-2 Circulation in the School Setting: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The contribution of children to viral spread in schools is still debated. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies to investigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the school setting. Literature searches on 15 May 2021 yielded a total of 1088 publications, including screening, contact tracing, and seroprevalence studies. MOOSE guidelines were followed, and data were analyzed using random-effects models. From screening studies involving more than 120,000 subjects, we estimated 0.31% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.05–0.81) SARS-CoV-2 point prevalence in schools. Contact tracing studies, involving a total of 112,622 contacts of children and adults, showed that onward viral transmission was limited (2.54%, 95% CI 0.76–5.31). Young index cases were found to be 74% significantly less likely than adults to favor viral spread (odds ratio (OR) 0.26, 95% CI 0.11–0.63) and less susceptible to infection (OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.25–1.47). Lastly, from seroprevalence studies, with a total of 17,879 subjects involved, we estimated that children were 43% significantly less likely than adults to test positive for antibodies (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.49–0.68). These findings may not applied to the Omicron phase, we further planned a randomized controlled trial to verify these results

Re: Exposure to indoor tanning without burning and melanoma risk by sunburn history

Vogel et al. (1) provide another demonstration that the risk from sunbed use is not limited to skin-sensitive populations and shows increased risk even in those not having experienced sunburns in their lifetimes. It counters the argument frequently put forward by the indoor tanning industry that indoor tanning prevents sunburn and adds further evidence of the carcinogenicity of indoor tanning. We are, however, concerned that those who consider vitamin D as a protective agent for cancer and thus defend sunbed use, might misinterpret the decline in odds ratio for increasing burns and consider that the increasing burns diminished the effect of sunbed use, hence providing “protection.

Meta-analysis of risk factors for cutaneous melanoma: I. Common and atypical naevi

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