ABI Group Research Articles

Comparative Study on the Acoustic Analysis of Voice in Auditory Brainstem Implantees, Cochlear Implantees, and Normal Hearing Children.

The aim of the study was to compare the acoustic characteristics of voice between Auditory Brainstem Implantees, Cochlear Implantees and normal hearing children. Voice parameters such as fundamental frequency, formant frequencies, perturbation measures, and harmonic to noise ratio were measured in a total of 30 children out of which 10 were Auditory Brainstem Implantees, 10 were Cochlear Implantees and 10 were normal hearing children. Parametric and nonparametric statistics were done to establish the nature of significance between the three groups. Overall deviancies were seen in the implanted group for all acoustic parameters. However abnormal deviations were seen in individuals with Auditory Brainstem Implants indicating the deficit in the feedback loop impacting the voice characteristics. The deviancy in feedback could attribute to the poor performance in ABI and CI. The CI performed comparatively better when compared to the ABI group indicating a slight feedback loop due to the type of Implant. However, there needs to be additional evidence supporting this and there is a need to carry out the same study using a larger sample size and a longitudinal design.

A territory-wide real-world efficacy and toxicity analysis of abiraterone acetate versus docetaxel in 574 Asian patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer

IntroductionAbiraterone acetate (ABI) or docetaxel (DOC), in addition to androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT), are current treatment options for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). No randomized head-to-head trial has compared these 2 mHSPC treatments, and real-world data regarding their outcomes in Asian patients are lacking. Patients and MethodsThe medical records of mHSPC patients who began upfront ABI or DOC treatment in addition to ADT at seven public oncology centers in Hong Kong between 2015 and 2021 were reviewed. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response, and toxicities. Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed. ResultsA total of 574 patients were included, of whom 419 received DOC and 155 received ABI. The median follow-up duration was 22.4 (DOC group: 23.8; ABI group: 17.3) months. The ABI group demonstrated significantly better PFS than the DOC group (not reached vs. 15.1 months: hazard ratio = 0.37; 95% confidence interval = 0.28-0.50; P < .001). No significant OS difference was observed (P = .58). Failure to achieve a ≥ 90% decline in PSA level at 3 months and failure to achieve an undetectable PSA nadir were each associated with unfavorable PFS and OS. Patients who received DOC had a higher rate of febrile neutropenia, whereas those who received ABI had higher rates of grade ≥ 3 hypokalemia and elevated alanine transaminase. Treatment discontinuation due to toxicities was more common in the DOC (3.6%) than the ABI (0.6%) group. ConclusionIn Asian mHSPC patients, upfront ABI + ADT was associated with better PFS than DOC + ADT, with no significant OS difference. PSA kinetics may help stratify the prognosis for treatment intensification. Toxicity profiles were different, with a higher rate of toxicity-related treatment discontinuation in the DOC group.

INCREASED SERUM SCLEROSTIN LEVEL IS A RISK FACTOR FOR PERIPHERAL ARTERY OCCLUSIVE DISEASE IN PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION

Objective: Sclerostin is associated with endothelial inflammation and vascular calcification and therefore contributes to atherosclerosis disease. Hypertension is one of risk factors of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD), is associated with increased mortality in patients with hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between serum sclerostin level and PAOD in patients with hypertension. Design and method: Fasting blood samples and baseline characteristics were obtained from 92 hypertensive patients. ABI values were measured using an automated oscillometric device. Patients with ABIs of &lt;0.9 were categorized into the low ABI group. The serum sclerostin and dickkopf-1 (DKK1) concentrations were determined using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: In total, 14 patients with hypertension (15.2%) were in the low ABI group. When compared to those in the normal ABI group, the low ABI group had high rates of diabetes mellitus (P = 0.044) as well as the high serum C-reactive protein levels (P = 0.001) and sclerostin levels (P &lt; 0.001), but the serum DKK1 level did not find this association (P = 0.639). The multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that serum levels of sclerostin (odds ratio [OR]: 1.052, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.018–1.088, P = 0.002) was independently associated with PAD in patients with hypertension. Conclusions: Serum levels of sclerostin, but not DKK1, were associated with PAOD in patients with hypertension.

Comparison of efficacy and medical costs between upfront docetaxel and abiraterone treatments of metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer patients in real-world practice: a multicenter retrospective study.

We compared the real-world efficacy and medical costs for treatment with upfront docetaxel (DOC) and abiraterone acetate (ABI) up to progression-free survival 2 (PFS2) in patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). This multicenter retrospective study included 340 patients with mHSPC treated with either upfront DOC or upfront ABI between October 2015 and December 2021. We compared PFS2 and medical costs between the two treatment groups. PFS2 was defined as the time from first-line therapy toprogressionon second-line therapy. Medical costs were estimated using the National Health Insurance drug prices in 2022 in Japan. The upfront DOC and ABI groups included 107 and 233 patients, respectively. The incidence of metastatic castration-resistant PC progression was significantly higher in the upfront DOC group compared with the incidence in the upfront ABI group. However, no significant differences in PFS2 were observed between the two treatment groups. Monthly medical costs per patient were significantly higher in the upfront ABI group ($3453) compared with the costs in the upfront DOC group ($1239, P < 0.001). The cost differences were significantly influenced by differences in the length of androgen deprivation therapy monotherapy (DOC group, 13.4months vs. ABI group, 0.0months). We observed a significant cost benefit in the upfront DOC group in Japanese real-world practice, while the PFS2 rates were similar between the groups. Upfront DOC was a more cost-effective option for men with mHSPC who were eligible for toxic chemotherapy.

Effects of ankle-brachial index and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity on all-cause mortality in a community-based elderly population.

BackgroundAnkle-brachial index (ABI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) are both important indicators of arterial stiffness and vascular injury. At present, most studies on the relationship between ABI and baPWV and all-cause mortality in community-based elderly are analyzing ABI or baPWV alone, and will focus on a single special population such as diabetes and stroke. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between ABI and baPWV in a Chinese community-based elderly population, and to analyze their impact on all-cause mortality in a community-based population through a follow-up of nearly 10 years.MethodsParticipants were residents of the Wanshou Road community in Beijing, China. A total of 2,162 people in the community were included, with an average age of 71.48 years. During a mean follow-up period of 9.87 years, 1,826 subjects completed follow-up. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and different Cox regression models were used to verify the association of ABI and baPWV with all-cause mortality. The selected subjects were divided into two groups according to ABI and baPWV, and ABI was divided into two groups with 0.90 as the cut-off point (group 1: 0.9 < ABI ≤ 1.3; group 2: ABI ≤ 0.9); according to the level of baPWV, they were divided into three groups (Tertile 1: baPWV <1761.5 cm/s; Tertile 2: 1761.5 ≤ baPWV <2121.5 cm/s; Tertile 3: baPWV ≥2121.5 cm/s).Results1,826 people were included in the statistical analysis, and the total mortality rate was 181.3/1000. The 10-year all-cause mortality rate of the abnormal ABI group (group 2) was 44.7%, and that of the normal ABI group (group 1) was 17.0%; The 10-year all-cause mortality rates from low to high in the baPWV tertile were 10.0%, 18.7%, and 26.4%. In the Cox proportional hazards model, after adjusting for possible confounders, the effect of baPWV on all-cause mortality was significant, with the 3rd tertile having a 1.647-fold higher risk of all-cause mortality than the 1st tertile (P = 0.014 ).ConclusionsABI and baPWV are risk factors affecting all-cause mortality in the elderly community population, and baPWV is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in the elderly community population.

The Effect of Argumentation-Based Inquiry Approach Supported by Metacognitive Activities on Science Achievement of Preservice Teachers

Purpose: This study was conducted with students in their third year at the Department of Science Teaching at Kastamonu University in the 2015-2016 academic year. The study's objective is to investigate the effect of the argumentation-based and argumentation-based inquiry approaches supported by metacognition activities on students' science achievement.Design/Methodology/Approach: The study was carried out in 10 weeks with the participation of 69 students divided into three groups, namely, the ABI group, the ABI + metacognitive activity group and the group in which the traditional method was applied. An achievement test consisting of 25 questions and semi-structured interviews were used as data collection tools. In the data analysis, pre-post test evaluations and descriptive statistics were used.Findings: The data obtained showed that there was a significant difference between the groups, which was in favour of groups where the ABI approach was applied, and that there was a slightly significant difference between groups of ABI and the ABI supported by metacognition activities, which was in favour of the ABI group supported by metacognition activities. The interviews with students revealed many significant and positive outcomes; they stated that they were satisfied with the ABI applications, that they would prefer ABI in their professional lives, and that the applications facilitated scientific thinking.Highlights: Metacognition has an important place in scientific literacy and knowledge structuring. Because it provides metacognition to be aware of the individual's learning and learning process, it can be said that language practices such as discussion and writing, especially in the ABI process, activate cognitive and metacognitive mechanisms.

MP27-07 COMPARISON OF CLINICAL OUTCOMES BETWEEN ANDROGEN DEPRIVATION THERAPY WITH UP-FRONT ABIRATERONE AND BICALUTAMIDE FOR JAPANESE PATIENTS WITH LATITUDE HIGH-RISK PROSTATE CANCER IN A REAL-WORLD MULTICENTER ANALYSIS

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 May 2022MP27-07 COMPARISON OF CLINICAL OUTCOMES BETWEEN ANDROGEN DEPRIVATION THERAPY WITH UP-FRONT ABIRATERONE AND BICALUTAMIDE FOR JAPANESE PATIENTS WITH LATITUDE HIGH-RISK PROSTATE CANCER IN A REAL-WORLD MULTICENTER ANALYSIS Taku Naiki, Kiyoshi Takahara, Toshiki Ito, Keita Nakane, Yosuke Sugiyama, Takuya Koie, Ryoichi Shiroki, Hideaki Miyake, and Takahiro Yasui Taku NaikiTaku Naiki More articles by this author , Kiyoshi TakaharaKiyoshi Takahara More articles by this author , Toshiki ItoToshiki Ito More articles by this author , Keita NakaneKeita Nakane More articles by this author , Yosuke SugiyamaYosuke Sugiyama More articles by this author , Takuya KoieTakuya Koie More articles by this author , Ryoichi ShirokiRyoichi Shiroki More articles by this author , Hideaki MiyakeHideaki Miyake More articles by this author , and Takahiro YasuiTakahiro Yasui More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000002570.07AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Combining abiraterone (Abi) with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) improves overall survival, compared to ADT only, in patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC). In Japan, bicalutamide (Bica) and ADT (combined androgen blockade: CAB) is frequently provided for mCSPC. Because these two treatments have not been compared, mCSPC patients who received either treatment were retrospectively analyzed. METHODS: Of 178 patients with LATITUDE high-risk mCSPC, 103 had received ADT plus upfront Abi (Abi group) and 75 had received ADT plus Bica (Bica group) in multiple institutions of the Tokai Urologic Oncology Research Seminar. Kaplan–Meir curves were used to retrospectively analyze survival and cancer recurrence. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses identified potential prognostic factors for progression-free survival (PFS). In addition, the propensity score matched analysis was also estimated. RESULTS: Significant differences in major clinicopathological characteristics between the two groups were not observed. The rate of CRPC development was higher in the Bica compared to Abi group (50.6% vs. 25.2%, p<0.001). The median PFS in the Bica group was 13.6 months (95% CI: 9.2–22.2); however, in the Abi group, PFS did not reach the median (p<0.001). Time to second progression for the Abi group was superior (p=0.07). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed Gleason pattern 5, high alkaline phosphatase levels, and conventional CAB using Bica as significant prognostic factors for short PFS. In addition, by propensity matched analysis, similar to findings for the total cohort, the development of CRPC was found to be significantly higher in the Bica compared to Abi group (49.3% for Bica group vs. 23.9% for Abi group, p<0.01). The median PFS in the Bica group was 13.6 months (95% CI: 9.1–24.0); however, in the Abi group, the median was not reached (95% CI: 15.6–NA, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with LATITUDE high-risk mCSPC, upfront use of Abi combined with ADT resulted in favorable prognostic outcomes compared with conventional ADT with Bica. Source of Funding: none © 2022 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 207Issue Supplement 5May 2022Page: e452 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2022 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Taku Naiki More articles by this author Kiyoshi Takahara More articles by this author Toshiki Ito More articles by this author Keita Nakane More articles by this author Yosuke Sugiyama More articles by this author Takuya Koie More articles by this author Ryoichi Shiroki More articles by this author Hideaki Miyake More articles by this author Takahiro Yasui More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF DownloadLoading ...

Comparative Cardiovascular Safety of Novel Hormonal Agents in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Using Real-World Data.

Novel hormonal agents (NHAs) such as abiraterone acetate (ABI) and enzalutamide (ENZ) are frequently used in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Despite their overall tolerable risk profile, certain signals of cardiovascular toxicity were reported for these agents in clinical trials but little is known about their incidence in clinical practice. The objective was to assess the comparative cardiovascular safety of ABI and ENZ in patients with mCRPC in the real-world. A retrospective population-based cohort was extracted from Quebec public healthcare administrative databases. First-time NHA users between 2011 and 2016 were selected. The primary outcome of interest was cardiovascular-related hospitalization (composite outcome that included acute coronary syndrome, cerebrovascular stroke, heart failure, arrhythmia and others). Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) with the propensity score was used to adjust for measured baseline characteristics including pre-existing cardiovascular disease. The cohort comprises 2,183 patients, with 1,773 (81.2%) in the ABI group and 410 (18.8%) in the ENZ group. Crude incidence rates of cardiovascular-related hospitalization were of 9.8 events per 100 person-years (PYs) and of 7.1 events per 100 PYs for the ABI and ENZ groups, respectively. The ABI group was at greater risk of cardiovascular-related hospitalization compared to the ENZ group (IPTW-hazard ratio (HR) 1.82; 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 1.09-3.05). The risk of hospitalization for heart failure was greater in ABI (IPTW-HR 2.88; 95%CI 1.09-7.63). Our findings suggest that ABI users may be at greater risk of cardiovascular-related hospitalization compared to ENZ users, in particular for heart failure. These results provide clinicians with additional insight on the cardiovascular risks of mCRPC patients treated with NHAs in the real-world and further large studies are required to corroborate these findings.

Impact of Stem Integrated Argumentation-Based Inquiry Applications on Students ' Academic Success, Reflective Thinking and Creative Thinking Skills

The purpose of the study is to determine the effect of argumentation-based inquiry approach (ABI) and STEM-supported ABI approach on students’ academic achievement, scientific creativity and reflective thinking skills for problem solving, and to determine students' views about the process. Explanatory sequential design, one of the mixed research methods, was used in the study. A total of 41students (N=20 boys, n=21 girls) studying in the seventh grade of a secondary school in north-east Turkey constitute the study group. In the study, the two classes that the same teacher attended was randomly determined where one was an ABI group (N=21) and the other a STEM-supported ABI group (N=20). The groups worked with the same teacher throughout the study. In the quantitative dimension of the study, Academic Achievement Test, Reflective Thinking Scale for Problem Solving, and Scientific Creativity Scale was used, while semi-structured interview form was used in the qualitative dimension. Independent Groups T Test and ANCOVA were applied in the analysis of quantitative data. Content analysis was performed in the analysis of qualitative data. In the research, it was concluded that students' reflective thinking skills for problem solving, scientific creativity and academic success are more developed in applications made by integrating STEM into the ABI approach.

Comparison of clinical outcomes between androgen deprivation therapy with up-front abiraterone and bicalutamide for Japanese patients with LATITUDE high-risk prostate cancer in a real-world retrospective analysis.

Combining abiraterone (Abi) with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) improves overall survival, compared to ADT only, in patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC). In Japan, bicalutamide (Bica) and ADT (combined androgen blockade: CAB) is frequently provided for mCSPC. Because these two treatments have not been compared, mCSPC patients who received either treatment were retrospectively analyzed. Of 178 patients with LATITUDE high-risk mCSPC, 103 had received ADT plus upfront Abi (Abi group) and 75 had received ADT plus Bica (Bica group) in multiple institutions of the Tokai Urologic Oncology Research Seminar. Kaplan-Meir curves were used to retrospectively analyze survival and cancer recurrence. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses identified potential prognostic factors for progression-free survival (PFS). Significant differences in major clinicopathological characteristics between the two groups were not observed. The rate of castration-resistant development was higher in the Bica compared to Abi group (50.6 vs. 25.2%, p < 0.001). The median PFS in the Bica group was 13.6months {95% confidence interval [CI] 9.2-22.2}; however, in the Abi group, PFS did not reach the median {95% CI 18.5-not assessed [NA]; p < 0.001}. Time to second progression for the Abi group was superior (p = 0.07). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed Gleason pattern 5, high alkaline phosphatase levels, and conventional CAB using Bica as significant prognostic factors for short PFS. In patients with LATITUDE high-risk mCSPC, upfront use of Abi combined with ADT resulted in favorable prognostic outcomes compared with conventional ADT with Bica.

MP24-18 COMPARISON OF THE CARDIOTOXICITY OF ABIRATERONE AND ENZALUTAMIDE IN METASTATIC CASTRATION-RESISTANT PROSTATE CANCER USING REAL-WORLD DATA

You have accessJournal of UrologyProstate Cancer: Advanced (including Drug Therapy) II (MP24)1 Sep 2021MP24-18 COMPARISON OF THE CARDIOTOXICITY OF ABIRATERONE AND ENZALUTAMIDE IN METASTATIC CASTRATION-RESISTANT PROSTATE CANCER USING REAL-WORLD DATA Jason Hu, Armen Aprikian, Marie Vanhuyse, and Alice Dragomir Jason HuJason Hu More articles by this author , Armen AprikianArmen Aprikian More articles by this author , Marie VanhuyseMarie Vanhuyse More articles by this author , and Alice DragomirAlice Dragomir More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000002015.18AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Novel hormonal agents (NHAs) such abiraterone acetate (ABI) and enzalutamide (ENZ) are frequently used in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Despite their overall tolerable risk profiles, some cardiotoxicity signals were reported for these agents in clinical trials but little is known about their incidence in clinical practice. The objective was to assess the comparative cardiovascular safety of ABI and ENZ in patients with mCRPC in the real-world. METHODS: A retrospective population-based cohort was extracted from Quebec public healthcare administrative databases. Patients were selected on the basis of having initiated an NHA (ABI or ENZ) between 2012 and 2016. The primary outcome of interest was cardiovascular-related hospitalization (composite outcome of acute coronary syndrome, cerebrovascular stroke, heart failure, arrhythmia and others). Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) with the propensity score was used to adjust for baseline characteristics. RESULTS: The cohort comprises 2,183 patients, with 1,773 (81.2%) in the ABI group and 410 (18.8%) in the ENZ group. Crude incidence rates of cardiovascular-related hospitalization were of 9.8 events per 100 person-years (PYs) and of 7.1 events per 100 PYs for the ABI and ENZ groups, respectively. After applying IPTW, the ABI group was at greater risk of cardiovascular-related hospitalization compared to the ENZ group (hazard ratio (HR) 1.82; 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 1.09-3.05). The risk of hospitalization for heart failure was greater in ABI (HR 2.88; 95%CI 1.09-7.63). CONCLUSIONS: In our study population, there was a greater risk of cardiovascular-related hospitalizations for ABI users relative to ENZ users, in particular for hospitalization for heart failure. These results provide clinicians with additional insight on the cardiovascular risks of mCRPC patients treated with NHAs in the real-world and further large studies are required to corroborate these findings. Source of Funding: Fonds de recherche Québec-Santé100 Days Across Canada - Prostate Cancer Studentship © 2021 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 206Issue Supplement 3September 2021Page: e418-e419 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2021 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Jason Hu More articles by this author Armen Aprikian More articles by this author Marie Vanhuyse More articles by this author Alice Dragomir More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Loading ...

Impact of pretreatment anemia on upfront abiraterone acetate therapy for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer: a multicenter retrospective study

BackgroundAnemia has been a known prognostic factor in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). We therefore examined the effect of anemia on the efficacy of upfront abiraterone acetate (ABI) in patients with mHSPC.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated 66 mHSPC patients with high tumor burden who received upfront ABI between 2018 and 2020 (upfront ABI group). We divided these patients into two groups: the anemia-ABI group (hemoglobin < 13.0 g/dL, n = 20) and the non-anemia-ABI group (n = 46). The primary objective was to examine the impact of anemia on the progression-free survival (PFS; clinical progression or PC death before development of castration resistant PC) of patients in the upfront ABI group. Secondary objectives included an evaluation of the prognostic significance of upfront ABI and a comparison with a historical cohort (131 mHSPC patients with high tumor burden who received androgen deprivation therapy (ADT/complete androgen blockade [CAB] group) between 2014 and 2019).ResultsWe found that the anemia-ABI group had a significantly shorter PFS than the non-anemia-ABI group. A multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that anemia was an independent prognostic factor of PFS in the upfront ABI group (hazard ratio, 4.66; P = 0.014). Patients in the non-anemia-ABI group were determined to have a significantly longer PFS than those in the non-anemia-ADT/CAB group (n = 68) (P < 0.001). However, no significant difference was observed in the PFS between patients in the anemia-ABI and the anemia-ADT/CAB groups (n = 63). Multivariate analyses showed that upfront ABI could significantly prolong the PFS of patients without anemia (hazard ratio, 0.17; P < 0.001), whereas ABI did not prolong the PFS of patients with anemia.ConclusionPretreatment anemia was a prognostic factor among mHSPC patients who received upfront ABI. Although the upfront ABI significantly improved the PFS of mHSPC patients without anemia, its efficacy in patients with anemia might be limited.

Cochlear implantation versus auditory brainstem implantation in children with auditory nerve deficiencies.

Cochlear nerve deficiency is one of the known causes of congenital sensorineural hearing loss. Management of hearing loss in children with cochlear nerve deficiency poses a multidimensional challenge. The absent or hypoplastic cochlear nerve may prevent electrical stimulation from reaching the brainstem and the auditory cortex. A deficient cochlear nerve can be associated with other inner ear malformations, which may diminish the success of cochlear implantation in those children. Promising results in adults after auditory brainstem implantation led to the expansion of candidacy to include the pediatric populations who were contraindicated for CIs. To review the outcomes of cochlear implantation versus that of auditory brainstem implantation in children with various conditions of the auditory nerve. This retrospective chart review study comprised two pediatric groups. The first group consisted of seven ABI recipients with cochlear nerve aplasia and the second group consisted of another seven children with cochlear nerve deficiencies who underwent CI surgery. The participants' auditory skills and speech outcomes were assessed using different tests selected from the Evaluation of Auditory Responses to Speech (EARS) test battery. There were some individual variations in outcomes depending on the status of the auditory nerve. The mean CAP score of the ABI group was 2.87, while the mean SIR score was 0.62. On the other hand, the mean CAP score of the CI group was 1.29, while the mean SIR score was 0.42. Our results are in good agreement with the reported auditory perception and speech and language development outcomes of pediatric auditory brainstem implantation. We added to the growing body of literature on the importance of verifying and identifying the status of the cochlear nerve in the decision-making process of the surgical management of those pediatric groups.

EFFICACY OF ULTRASOUND-GUIDED AUTOLOGOUS BLOOD INJECTION VERSUS EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCKWAVE THERAPY IN CHRONIC ACHILLES TENDINOPATHY: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Objective:To evaluate the efcacy of ultrasound-guided autologous blood injection in chronic Achilles tendinopathy. Design: Prospective randomised controlled trial. Setting:Tertiary care hospital. Participants: 45 patients of chronic Achilles tendinopathy. Intervention: Participants were allocated to 2 groups i.e. autologous blood injection under ultrasound-guidance group (n=23) and extra corporeal shockwave therapy group (n=22) while in both groups eccentric heel drop stretching exercise were added. Outcome measures:VAS, VISA-Aand ultrasonography. Follow up at 4, 12 and 24 weeks. Results: The mean VAS score changes within-subject analysis were signicant in both ABI and ESWT group (p&lt;0.001), however between-group analysis at 4, 12 and 24 weeks were not signicant (p&gt;0.05). The mean VISA-A score within-subject analysis were signicant in both the groups (p&lt;0.001). The between-group analysis show signicant difference at 12 weeks (p=0.006) and 24 weeks (p=0.001). The between-group analysis of mean tendon size were signicant at 24 weeks (p=0.001). Conclusions: This study showed that ultrasound guided autologous blood injection is effective in reducing pain and disability in chronic Achilles tendinopathy at 6 months. ABI might have additive regenerative therapeutic effect.

Measuring conversations after acquired brain injury in 30 minutes or less: a comparison of two pragmatic rating scales

ABSTRACTPrimary objective: This study compared the reliability, validity and feasibility of the Pragmatics Rating Scale (PRS) to the Profile of Pragmatic Impairment in Communication (PPIC). It was hypothesized that the PRS would have equivalent reliability and validity and superior feasibility.Research design: A correlational pilot study design was implemented.Methods and procedures: Participants were 15 adults with a history of ABI, who provided two conversation samples each, and 15 adults with no history of ABI, who provided one conversation sample each. Two clinicians used the PRS and PPIC to rate each conversation sample.Main outcomes and results: The results of the PRS showed good discriminative validity between the ABI and non-ABI group, adequate construct validity with the PPIC and the La Trobe Communication Questionnaire, superior interrater reliability to the PPIC, and good test-retest reliability. Also, the PRS demonstrated higher clinical feasibility than the PPIC as measured by mean completion time per sample and ratings on a clinical feasibility survey.Conclusions: These results supported our hypotheses that the PRS is sensitive to aspects of social communication often impaired by ABI, without the feasibility drawbacks of a more complex rating scale.

Comparison of enzalutamide versus abiraterone in castration-resistant prostate cancer before docetaxel: Results of a propensity score-matched analysis.

e16540 Background: Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) phenotype involves androgen-receptor signalling mechanisms that support the use of enzalutamide (EZ) and abiraterone (Abi). These therapies improve overall survival (OS) and quality-of-life, with a favourable safety profile. There is no validated data defining the best drug or sequence to be used. Methods: A retrospective cohort of mCRPC patients (pts) was analysed at AC Camargo Cancer Center. The primary objective was to compare progression-free survival (PFS) and OS in patients treated with EZ or Abi as first line (docetaxel naïve pts). Kaplan-Meier, Log-Rank Test and Cox Regression were used for survival analysis. To address unbalanced characteristics between the two treatment groups treatment efficacy was compared in a propensity score matched cohort. Results: From May, 2002 to September, 2017, 120 pts were treated with Abi (84%) or EZ (36%). Median follow-up was 21.2 months. Median age at diagnosis was 66 (48-84), the majority were Gleason score 7 (34%) and median baseline PSA was 14. Median PFS was 17.4 months in EZ and 10.6 months in Abi group (HR = 0.65; 95%CI: 0.39-1.10; p = 0.11). Median OS was not reached and 31.6 months for EZ and Abi, respectively (HR = 0.60; 95%CI: 0.27-1.36; p = 0.22). EZ was associated with a better PSA response in the first 4 months of treatment (p &lt; 0.001). Independent prognostic factors for worse OS and PFS were ECOG ≥ 1, treatment toxicity ≥ G1 and lower PSA doubling time before treatment and for better OS and PFS were PSA response in the first 4 months and alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase response at any time. In the propensity score matched cohort including 72 patients PFS was better in EZ group (HR = 0.36; 95%CI: 0.20-0.64; p &lt; 0.001) but there was no difference in OS (HR = 0.66; 95%CI: 0.27-1.63; p = 0.37). Conclusions: EZ was associated with prolonged PFS and better PSA response, with no OS improvement when compared with Abi for mCRPC before docetaxel, in a propensity score matched analysis.

Higher Serum Testosterone Levels Associated with Favorable Prognosis in Enzalutamide- and Abiraterone-Treated Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer.

Testosterone plays a significant role in maintaining the tumor microenvironment. The role of the target serum testosterone (TST) level in enzalutamide- (Enza) and abiraterone (Abi)-treated castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients was studied. In total, 107 patients treated with Enza and/or Abi at Chiba University Hospital and affiliated hospitals were studied. The relationships between progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and clinical factors were studied by Cox proportional hazard and Kaplan–Meier models. In the Abi and Enza groups overall, TST ≥ 13 ng/dL (median) (Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.43, p = 0.0032) remained an independent prognostic factor for PFS. In the Enza group, TST ≥ 13 ng/dL (median) was found to be a significant prognostic factor (HR 0.28, p = 0.0044), while, in the Abi group, TST ≥ 12 ng/dL (median) was not significant (HR 0.40, p = 0.0891). TST showed significant correlation with PFS periods (r = 0. 32, p = 0.0067), whereas, for OS, TST ≥ 13 ng/dL (median) showed no significant difference in the Abi and Enza groups overall. According to Kaplan–Meier analysis, a longer PFS at first-line therapy showed a favorable prognosis in the Enza group (p = 0.0429), while no difference was observed in the Abi group (p = 0.6051). The TST level and PFS of first-line therapy may be considered when determining the treatment strategy for CRPC patients.

A retrospective study of ABI and TBI during the healing of ulcer among diabetic patients

ObjectiveTo assess the role of ABI and TBI in the detection of ulcer wounds among diabetic patients. MethodsA retrospective approach is used to enroll 192 diabetic patients to detect their ulcer wounds using ABI and TBI index. HbA1c and lipid profile were other important variables in determining the efficacy of screening test. Frequency analysis and Pearson Correlation were used to analyze the data through SPSS. FindingsThe results have shown that 57.1% male and 42.9% female were treated in <0.60 ABI group; 67.4% male and 32.6% female were treated in 0.60–0.90 ABI group; 65.9% male and 34.1% female were treated in 0.90–1.30 ABI group; and 63.8% male and 36.2% female were treated in >1.30 ABI group. The correlation showed insignificant association between ABI and ulcer outcomes, but significant association between TBI and ulcer outcomes at 5% level of significance. ConclusionThe study concluded that ABI should be based on standardized normal values to be used as an effective biomarker in screening diabetic foot ulcer patients.

Association of Ankle-Brachial Index with the Angiographic Severity of Patient with Coronary Artery Disease

Background: The Ankle-Brachial Index has been shown to be a good marker of systemic atherosclerosis and a powerful indicator of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality This study evaluated the relation of ABI with the angiographic severity of patient with coronary artery disease.Methods: This is a hospital based cross-sectional analytical study. 100 adult Bangladeshi patients who were admitted and underwent coronary angiography according to inclusion and exclusion criteria were the study population. All patient’s ABI were measured and coronary angiography were done. Patients were divided into two groups according to ABI. Group I with ABI &gt;0.90 and group II with ABI &lt;0.90.Results: In group I 65(82.2%) were men and 16(19.8%) were women. In group II 18(94.7%) patients were men and 1(5.3%) was women. Significant co-relation was found between low ABI and severity of CAD. Low ABI group showed more severe form of CAD with higher prevalence of triple vessel diseases, significant stenosis and more involvement of left main (LM) and left anterior descending(LAD)artery. Single vessel disease was found more with normal ABI. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus and Low ABI showed predictors of significant severe stenosis of coronary arteries.Conclusion: Low ankle brachial index is a predictor of the severity of coronary artery disease. So it could be incorporated in our day to day clinical cardiology practice as non-invasive, bedside test to assess and predict the severity of coronary artery disease.Cardiovasc. j. 2018; 10(2): 201-205

Driving after brain injury: Does dual-task modality matter?

Virtual reality technology allows neuropsychologists to examine complex, real-world behaviors with high ecological validity and can provide an understanding of the impact of demanding dual-tasks on driving performance. We hypothesized that a task imposing high cognitive and physical demands (coin-sorting) would result in the greatest reduction in driving maintenance performance. Twenty participants with acquired brain injury and 28 healthy controls were included in the current study. All participants were licensed and drove regularly. Participants completed two standardized VRDS drives: (1) a baseline drive with no distractions, and (2) the same route with three, counterbalanced dual-tasks representing differing demands. A series of 3 (Task)×2 (Group) ANOVAs revealed that the ABI group tended to go slower than the HC group in the presence of a dual-task, F (1, 111) = 6.24, p = 0.01. Importantly, the ABI group also showed greater variability in speed, F (1, 110) = 10.97, p < 0.01, and lane position, F (1, 108) = 7.81, p < 0.01, an effect driven by dual-tasks with both a cognitive and motor demand. These results indicate that long-term driving difficulties following ABI are subtle and likely due to reduced cognitive resources.