In a recent systematic review and meta-analysis, the presence of chronic sinonasal inflammation shows a significant correlation with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Findings of this study were documented in the American Journal of Otolaryngology.

This meta-analysis involved a comprehensive search of four international databases from 1^st January 1973 to 28^th March 2022 for studies addressing sinonasal inflammation and NPC in adults (greater than 18 years old). Case-control, cohort, or cross-sectional studies were included that explored the association between a prior history of sinonasal inflammation and the risk of developing NPC. The incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in patients with prior sinonasal inflammation is the outcome.

A total of eight studies, comprising 8,245 individuals diagnosed with NPC and 1,036,087 individuals without NPC, were examined. The overall odds ratio for developing NPC following sinonasal inflammation was found to be 1.81 (95% confidence interval 1.73-1.89). Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) exhibited a stronger association with an increased risk of NPC, with an odds ratio of 1.78 (95% confidence interval: 1.68-1.90), in comparison to allergic rhinitis (AR) (odds ratio of 1.60; 95% confidence interval: 1.52-1.68).

Thus, it can be concluded that chronic sinonasal inflammation is strongly linked to nasopharyngeal carcinoma. It is important to thoroughly examine the cause-and-effect relationship and the potential effects of targeted screening using large-scale prospective studies.

A recent study demonstrated that lower ureteric stones can be effectively treated with both silodosin and mirabegron. Furthermore, when these medications are used together, they have been found to increase the rate of stone expulsion and reduce the duration of expulsion. This study’s findings were published in the journal, International Urology and Nephrology. 

This study included 105 patients, aged 20 to 56 years, who were diagnosed with a single radiopaque distal ureteral stone measuring ≤ 10 mm. The individuals were randomly allocated into three groups, each group containing 35 participants. Group A received an 8 mg daily dose of silodosin, group B was given 50 mg of mirabegron once daily, and group C received a combination of both medications. Treatment was given until the stone passed or for a maximum of four weeks. The stone-free rate was assessed by analyzing KUB films with or without ultrasonography.

Stone expulsion rate was higher in group C in comparison to groups A and B. The mean (standard deviation) time for expulsion of the stone in group A, group B, and group C was 14 ± 2.3 days, 11 ± 3.1 days, and 7 ± 2.2 days, respectively. Group C exhibited a significantly shorter stone expulsion time when compared to groups A and B. The incidence of renal colic in group C was significantly lower than that in groups A and B, leading to a decreased need for analgesics. Anejaculation was significantly more frequent in the silodosin group (73.9%) and combination group (84%) than in the mirabegron group.

Thus, it can be concluded that both silodosin and mirabegron are effective treatments for lower ureteric stones. Additionally, when these medications are utilized in combination, they have been shown to increase the rate of stone expulsion and decrease the duration of expulsion.

According to a recent study, soaking dentures in 1% sodium hypochlorite for 10 minutes without any brushing was found to be a simple, quick, affordable, and efficient way to clean the dentures of hospitalized patients. This study’s results were published in the Journal of applied oral science.

The maxillary complete dentures of 340 hospitalized participants were subjected to random cleaning using 17 different protocols (n=20 participants). The cleaning methods included brushing with distilled water, neutral liquid soap, or toothpaste, (considered as controls), as well as immersion in chemical solutions such as 1% sodium hypochlorite, alkaline peroxide, 0.12% or 2% chlorhexidine digluconate. Additionally, some dentures were subjected to microwave irradiation (650 W for 3 min), either alone or in combination with brushing. The effectiveness of these protocols was assessed by evaluating the biofilm of the intaglio surface of the maxillary complete dentures before and after cleaning. Two methods used for evaluation include : microbiological quantitative cultures on blood agar and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (CFU/mL) as well as denture biofilm coverage area (%). The collected data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis tests.

Significant reductions in the percentage area of denture biofilm and microbial and fungal load were achieved by all 17 protocols. The most significant reductions in denture biofilm area were observed with 1% hypochlorite solution with or without brushing, and with 2% chlorhexidine solution and microwave irradiation combined with brushing. The greatest reductions in microbial and fungal load were noted in groups that used 1% hypochlorite solutions and 2% chlorhexidine, as well as microwave irradiation, regardless of brushing .

Thus, it can be concluded that a single immersion of dentures in 1% sodium hypochlorite for 10 minutes, without brushing is a simple, quick, cost-effective, and efficient method for cleaning dentures in hospitalized patients.

A recent study suggests that patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and BRCA alterations showed clinically relevant outcomes when treated with niraparib plus abiraterone acetate and prednisone (AAP). This study’s results were published in the Annals of Oncology.

The phase 3, MAGNITUDE trial included 212 HRR+ patients with/without BRCA1/2 alterations. They were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive 200mg of niraparib orally plus AAP (1000 mg/10 mg orally) or placebo plus AAP. At the second prespecified interim analysis (IA2), the secondary endpoints assessed were time to symptomatic progression, time to initiation of cytotoxic chemotherapy and overall survival (OS).

It was found that at IA2 with 24.8 months of median follow-up, niraparib plus AAP showed significantly prolonged radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) (19.5 versus 10.9 months; hazard ratio (HR) = 0.55 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.39-0.78] consistent with the first prespecified interim analysis. Similarly, in the total HRR+ population, rPFS was also prolonged. In the niraparib plus AAP group, time to symptomatic progression and time to initiation of cytotoxic chemotherapy showed improvements. Even the analysis of OS with niraparib plus AAP in the BRCA1/2 subgroup demonstrated a lower hazard ratio.

From the above results, it is clear that niraparib plus AAP in patients with BRCA1/2-altered mCRPC, may demonstrate an improved rPFS and other clinically relevant outcomes.

A recent study demonstrated that urinary CD4 + T-cell counts have the potential to identify individuals with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis who are at a significant risk of experiencing renal relapse within a 6-month period. This study’s findings were published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

The PRE-FLARED was a prospective multicenter biomarker study that enrolled 102 individuals with ANCA-associated vasculitis in remission. This study aimed to predict the occurrence of renal relapse by quantifying the levels of urinary CD4 + T-cell subsets through flow cytometry at the baseline, and then monitoring the clinical outcomes during a six-month follow-up period.

Out of the total participants, 2 had non-renal flares, 10 experienced renal relapses, and 90 remained in stable remission. Patients who relapsed had a significantly higher median baseline urinary CD4 + T-cell count compared to those in remission. The analysis of urinary CD4 + T-cell counts using receiver operating characteristic curve showed an area under the curve value of 0.88 for predicting renal flares, hematuria, proteinuria, and outperforming ANCA titers. With a cutoff of 490 CD4 + T cells per 100 ml urine, the sensitivity and specificity in identifying patients with future renal flares were 60% and 97.8%, respectively. Combining urinary CD4 + T-cell counts with proteinase-3 ANCA levels in a post hoc analysis suggested improved predictive performance in the PR3 + subgroup. Additionally, the number of urinary CD4 + T cells demonstrated a limited correlation with a decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and an increase in proteinuria over the follow-up period.

According to the above study, urinary CD4+ T-cell counts could be used to detect individuals with ANCA-associated vasculitis who face a considerable risk of renal relapse within six months. The incorporation of these counts with ANCA levels has been shown to enhance the accuracy of relapse prediction.