Results The AUC of the RM [0.81 (95% CI, 0.771-0.848); sensitivity 0.794; specificity 0.704] for the predictive performance of pN1 and N2 was significantly better than that of cN in the training cohort [0.685 (95% CI, 0.644-0.728); sensitivity 0.804; specificity 0.568], (P-value = 8.29e-07, as assessed by the Delong test). In the testing cohort, the AUC of the RM [0.766 (95% CI, 0.702-0.830); sensitivity 0.688; specificity 0.704] was also significantly higher than that of cN [0.685 (95% CI, 0.619-0.747); sensitivity 0.799; specificity 0.568], (P = 0.0371, Delong test).  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/curcumin-analog-compound-c1.html  Conclusions The RM based on 18F-FDG PET/CT has a potential for the pN staging in patients with NSCLC, suggesting that therapeutic planning could be tailored according to the predictions.Background The propensity of serum to calcify, as assessed by the T50-test, associates with mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease. In chronic heart failure, phosphate and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23), which are important components of the vascular calcification pathway, have been linked to patient survival. Here, we investigated whether T50 associates with overall and cardiovascular survival in patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Methods We measured T50, intact and c-terminal FGF-23 levels in a cohort of 306 HFrEF patients. Associations with overall and cardiovascular mortality were analyzed in survival analysis and Cox-regression models. Results After a median follow-up time of 3.2 years (25th-75th percentile 2.0-4.9 years), 114 patients (37.3%) died due to any cause and 76 patients (24.8%) died due to cardiovascular causes. 139 patients (45.4%) had ischemic and 167 patients (54.6%) had non-ischemic HFrEF. Patients with ischemic HFrEF in the lowest T50-tertile had significantly greater 2-year cardiovascular mortality compared to patients in higher tertiles (p = 0.011). In ischemic but not in non-ischemic HFrEF, T50 was significantly associated with cardiovascular mortality in univariate (p = 0.041) and fully adjusted (p = 0.046) Cox regression analysis. Significant associations of intact and c-terminal FGF-23 with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in univariate Cox regression analysis did not remain significant after adjustment for confounding factors. Conclusion T50 is associated with 2-year cardiovascular mortality in patients with ischemic HFrEF but not in non-ischemic HFrEF. More research on the role of T50 measurements in coronary artery disease is warranted.Background Medication therapy management (MTM) was established by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) with the aim to improve medication adherence. However, the national prevalence of cost-related medication non-adherence (CRN) is still unknown and there is a literature gap in the association between MTM services and CRN. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted. A nationally representative study sample from Medicare Current Beneficiary Surveys (MCBS) was used. Survey sampling weights were applied for national estimates of CRN. Weighted multivariable logistic regressions controlling for covariates were conducted to investigate the effect of the MTM on the CRN. Results The study identified 1,549 MTM-eligible beneficiaries. The prevalence of CRN was higher in MTM-eligible individuals than in non-MTM eligible individuals (24.14 vs. 13.44%; P less then 0.001). According to the results of multivariable logistic regressions, we found that MTM eligibility was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of CRN (OR 1.59; 95% CI 1.28-1.96). Additionally, some other variables such as health status, with or without low-income subsidy are also associated with CRN. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the prevalence of CRN in MTM-eligible beneficiaries was higher than in non-MTM eligible beneficiaries. Further studies with the longitudinal design are warranted to clarify the relationship between MTM and CRN. Alternative strategies to improve CRN should be considered in future Medicare Part D Enhanced MTM Models.Background Several underlying diseases have been associated with unfavorable COVID-19 related outcomes including asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), however few studies have reported risks that are adjusted for confounding variables. This study aimed to examine the adjusted risk of COVID-19 related hospitalsation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and mortality in patients with vs. without asthma or COPD. Methods A systematic review of major databases was undertaken for studies published between 1/12/2019 and 19/4/2021. Studies reporting the adjusted (for one or more confounder) risks of either hospitalsation, ICU admission, or mortality in asthmatics or COPD patients (control group = no asthma or no COPD) were identified. Risk of bias was determined via the QUIPS tool. A random effect meta-analysis was undertaken. Findings 37 studies were eligible for analysis, with a total of 1,678,992 participants. The pooled ORs of COVID-19 hospitalsation in subjects with asthma and COPD was 0.91 (ocol Registration https//www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/.Background Little is known about the etiology of meningitis in the MENA region, including Qatar. Viral agents are considered the major cause for meningitis worldwide. Here, we present primary data about the etiology and clinical and demographic characteristics of viral meningitis (VM) in Qatar between 2015 and 2018. Methods We retrospectively collected data from Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), which provides about 80% of healthcare services in Qatar. Data were collected for the period between 2015 and 2018. During this time period, 6,705 specimens were collected from patients with suspected meningitis attending HMC and primary healthcare centers. These specimens were tested for a panel of viruses using the "FTD Viral meningitis" multiplex real-time PCR kit that detects Adenovirus (ADV), Human herpesvirus 1&2 (HSV1 and HSV2), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Enteroviruses (EV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Varicella zoster virus (VZV), and Parechovirus (PV). Results Only 10.9% (732/6,705) of all suspected meningitis cases were caused by viral agents.