Background: The incidence of nipple-sparing mastectomy is rising, but no single incision type has been proven to be superior. This study systematically evaluated the rate and efficacy of various nipple-sparing mastectomy incision locations, focusing on nipple-areola complex necrosis and reconstructive method. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines identifying studies on nipple-sparing mastectomy where incision type was described. Pooled descriptive statistics meta-analysis of overall (nipple-areola complex) necrosis rate and nipple-areola complex necrosis by incision type was performed. Results: Fifty-one studies (9975 nipple-sparing mastectomies) were included. Thirty-two incision variations were identified and categorized into one of six groups: inframammary fold, radial, periareolar, mastopexy/prior scar/reduction, endoscopic, and other. The most common incision types were inframammary fold [3634 nipple-sparing mastectomies (37.8 percent)] and radial [3575 nipple-sparing mastectomies (37.2 percent)]. Meta-analysis revealed an overall partial nipple-areola complex necrosis rate of 4.62 percent (95 percent CI, 3.14 to 6.37 percent) and a total nipple-areola complex necrosis rate of 2.49 percent (95 percent CI, 1.87 to 3.21 percent). Information on overall nipple-areola complex necrosis rate by incision type was available for 30 of 51 studies (4645 nipple-sparing mastectomies). Periareolar incision had the highest nipple-areola complex necrosis rate (18.10 percent). Endoscopic and mastopexy/prior scar/reduction incisions had the lowest rates of necrosis at 4.90 percent and 5.79 percent, respectively, followed by the inframammary fold incision (6.82 percent). The rate of single-stage implant reconstruction increased during this period. Conclusions: For nipple-sparing mastectomy, the periareolar incision maintains the highest necrosis rate because of disruption of the nipple-areola complex blood supply. The inframammary fold incision has become the most popular incision, demonstrating an acceptable complication profile.

In this paper we develop and validate with bootstrapping techniques a mechanistic mathematical model of immune response to both BK virus infection and a donor kidney based on known and hypothesized mechanisms in the literature. The model presented does not capture all the details of the immune response but possesses key features that describe a very complex immunological process. We then estimate model parameters using a least squares approach with a typical set of available clinical data. Sensitivity analysis combined with asymptotic theory is used to determine the number of parameters that can be reliably estimated given the limited number of observations.

Background.Procalcitonin (PCT) is a prohormone that rises in bacterial pneumonia and has promise in reducing antibiotic use. Despite these attributes, there are inconclusive data on its use for clinical prognostication. We hypothesize that serial PCT measurements can predict mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and bacteremia.Methods.A prospective cohort study of inpatients diagnosed with pneumonia was performed at a large tertiary care center in Boston, Massachusetts. Procalcitonin was measured on days 1 through 4. The primary endpoint was a composite adverse outcome defined as all-cause mortality, ICU admission, and bacteremia. Regression models were calculated with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) as a measure of discrimination.Results.Of 505 patients, 317 patients had a final diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) or healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP). Procalcitonin was significantly higher for CAP and HCAP patients meeting the composite primary endpoint, bacteremia, and ICU admission, but not mortality. Incorporation of serial PCT levels into a statistical model including the Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) improved the prognostic performance of the PSI with respect to the primary composite endpoint (AUC from 0.61 to 0.66), bacteremia (AUC from 0.67 to 0.85), and need for ICU-level care (AUC from 0.58 to 0.64). For patients in the highest risk class PSI >130, PCT was capable of further risk stratification for prediction of adverse outcomes.Conclusion.Serial PCT measurement in patients with pneumonia shows promise for predicting adverse clinical outcomes, including in those at highest mortality risk.