Medicine
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The effect of hepatitis C virus (HCV) exposure on bone mineral density without advanced liver disease remains debated. Thus, we assessed the relation between HCV exposure and the risk of osteoporosis. From 2000 to 2011, patients aged >20 years with HCV exposure were identified from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000. ⋯ Furthermore, the risk of osteoporotic fracture did not differ significantly between patients exposed to HCV and the comparison cohorts. HCV increases the risk of osteoporosis, but no detrimental effect on osteoporotic fracture was observed in this study. Furthermore, HCV may be less influential than other risk factors, such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and heart failure, in contributing to the development of osteoporosis.
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Carcinoma of unknown primary origin (CUP) is characterized by diverse histological subtypes and clinical presentations, ranging from clinically indolent to frankly aggressive behaviors. This study aimed to identify prognostic factors of CUP and to develop a simple risk model to predict survival in a cohort of Asian patients. We retrospectively reviewed 190 patients diagnosed with CUP between 2007 and 2012 at a single medical center in Taiwan. ⋯ The c-statistics using the risk model and ECOG scale for the outcome of 1-year mortality were 0.80 and 0.70 (P = 0.038), respectively. In this study, we developed a simple risk model that accurately predicted survival in patients with CUP. This scoring system may be used to help patients and clinicians determine appropriate treatments.
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Observational Study
Cortical Activation During Levitation and Tentacular Movements of Corticobasal Syndrome.
Levitation and tentacular movements (LTM) are considered specific, yet rare (30%), features of Corticobasal Syndrome (CBS), and are erroneously classified as alien hand. Our study focuses on these typical involuntary movements and aims to highlight possible neural correlates. LTM were recognizable during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 4 of 19 CBS patients. ⋯ The isolated activation of M1 suggests that LTM is a cortical disinhibition symptom, not involving a network. Higher activation of M1 during VM confirms that M1 excitability changes occur in CBS. Our study calls, finally, attention to the necessity to separate LTM from other alien hand phenomena.
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Observational Study
Pulmonary Hypertension Complicating Fibrosing Mediastinitis.
Fibrosing mediastinitis is caused by a proliferation of fibrous tissue in the mediastinum with encasement of mediastinal viscera and compression of mediastinal bronchovascular structures. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a severe complication of fibrosing mediastinitis caused by extrinsic compression of the pulmonary arteries and/or veins. We have conducted a retrospective observational study reviewing clinical, functional, hemodynamic, radiological characteristics, and outcome of 27 consecutive cases of PH associated with fibrosing mediastinitis diagnosed between 2003 and 2014 at the French Referral Centre for PH. ⋯ We found no clear clinical improvement with the use of specific PAH therapy. Corticosteroid therapy may be associated with clinical improvement, in some patients with fibrosing mediastinitis due to sarcoidosis. Although never performed for this indication, lung transplantation may be proposed in eligible patients with severe PH and fibrosing mediastinitis.
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Review Meta Analysis
Efficacy of Pregabalin in Acute Postoperative Pain Under Different Surgical Categories: A Meta-Analysis.
The efficacy of pregabalin in acute postsurgical pain has been demonstrated in numerous studies; however, the analgesic efficacy and adverse effects of using pregabalin in various surgical procedures remain uncertain. We aim to assess the postsurgical analgesic efficacy and adverse events after pregabalin administration under different surgical categories using a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. A search of the literature was performed between August 2014 to April 2015, using PubMed, Ovid via EMBASE, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov with no limitation on publication year or language. ⋯ Pregabalin resulted in significant sedation in all surgical categories except ENT, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and gynecologic procedures. Postoperative nausea and vomiting was only significant after pregabalin in miscellaneous procedures. Analgesic effects and incidence of adverse effects of using pregabalin are not equal in different surgical categories.