No abstract

University applicants' acceptance of different selection methods is one factor universities take into account when making decisions regarding selection methods. In this study, 11,624 students at German universities were questioned about their approval of different selection methods. Specific aptitiute tests had the highest acceptance ratings, followed by interviews and professional experience. General cognitive ability tests, waiting times and final grades showed low acceptance ratings. The acceptance ratings of different subgroups were very similar. The participants' personality traits had only a small influence on acceptance ratings.

Background: Cancer patients may fail to distinguish COVID-19 symptoms such as anosmia, dysgeusia/ageusia, anorexia, headache, and fatigue, which are frequent after cancer treatments. We aimed to identify symptoms associated with COVID-19 and to assess the strength of their association in cancer and cancer-free populations. Methods: The prospective multicenter cohort study PAPESCO-19 included 878 cancer patients and 940 healthcare workers (HCWs) systematically tested for SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies. Participants reported the results of routine screening RT-PCR and thirteen COVID-19 symptoms. Backward logistic regression identified the symptom combinations significantly associated with COVID-19. Results: COVID+ proportions were similar in patients (8%) and HCWs (9.5%, p=0.26), whereas symptomatic proportions were lower in patients (32%) than HCWs (52%, p<0.001). Anosmia, anorexia, fever, headache, and rhinorrhea together accurately discriminated (c-statistic=0.7027) COVID-19 cases in patients. Anosmia, dysgeusia/ageusia, muscle pain, intense fatigue, headache, and chest pain better discriminated (c-statistic=0.8830) COVID-19 cases in HCWs. Anosmia had the strongest association in patients (OR=7.48, 95% CI: 2.96–18.89) and HCWs (OR=5.71, 95% CI: 2.21–14.75). Conclusions: COVID-19 symptoms and their diagnostic performance differ in cancer patients and HCWs. Anosmia is associated with COVID-19 for patients, while dysgeusia/ageusia are not. Cancer patients deserve tailored preventive measures due to their particular COVID-19 symptom pattern.

Background: Peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP) is frequent in patients with breast cancer (BC) and BC survivors (BCSs). Data supporting the use of high-concentration (179 mg) capsaicin patches (HCCP) in PNP in oncology are limited. This observational study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of HCCP applications in BCSs/BC patients with PNP. Methods: The study took place in the Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine department of a French comprehensive cancer centre (Angers, France). For all patients treated with HCCP from 01-Jan-2014 to 18-Dec-2018 data have been collected retrospectively over this period, and for those continuing to receive HCCP after 18-Dec-2018 data collection continued prospectively until 14-Oct-2020. Treatment with HCCP was at the entire discretion of the treating pain specialists. Independent pain specialists completed the Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGIC) for each included patient based on data extracted from patient’s electronic medical record completed by the treating pain specialist after each HCCP application. Results: This study included 279 patients (1141 HCCP applications). Patients were on average 59.2 years old; 54.5% had received at least one medication for their PNP before entering the study. PNP was most frequently caused by surgery (62.4%) followed by chemotherapy (11.8%) and radiotherapy (6.5%). Patients received on average 4.1 repeated HCCP applications; 68.8% received HCCP as an add-on to systemic therapy and 27.9% as first-line therapy. A complete/important analgesic effect was reported at least once by 82.3% of patients; 6.0% of patients reported no effect at all. Complete/important effect was observed in 70.7% and 56.0% of applications in post-surgical PNP existing for <12 months and >10 years, and 52.7% and 52.3% of applications in chemotherapy- or radiotherapy-induced PNP respectively. HCCP application was associated with application site reactions in 54.4% of patients with burning sensation or pain (45.9%) and erythema (30.8%) being the most frequently reported. High blood pressure was reported in 7.2% and frostbite, likely due to local cooling, in 1.4% of patients. Conclusions: This real-world chart review evaluating HCCP under usual practice conditions in a large cohort of patients provides important effectiveness and safety information to clinicians when considering topical options to treat PNP in BCSs/BC patients. Trial registration: Not applicable