Medicine
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The aim of this study was to investigate the role of uric acid (UA) in assessing rectal cancer metastasis. There were 475 newly diagnosed patients with complete data in our study, a total of 475 cases were reviewed, and divided into patients with metastasis and without metastasis. There were several statistical differences in age, tumor diameter, carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA), and C-reactive protein (CRP) between the 2 groups. ⋯ Multivariate analysis model revealed that elevated serum levels of UA were significant prognostic marker for lymphatic metastasis in patients with rectal cancer, independently of CRP, CEA, and tumor diameter (odds ratio 1.035, 95% CI 1.013-1.057, P = 0.002). In receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis, the area under the curve of serum UA in assessing metastatic rectal cancer patients was 0.803, with sensitivity of 0.864 and specificity of 0.739. Our results suggest that serum UA may be a novel marker in assessing tumor metastasis in patients with rectal cancer.
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The importance of iron deficiency as a public health problem is based ultimately on the seriousness of its consequences on health. The most extensively investigated consequences of iron deficiency involve work performance and immune function. The significance of the effects on work performance is generally accepted. ⋯ There was significantly positive correlation between serum iron and IL-6 serum level. We concluded that humoral, nonspecific immunity (phagocytic activity and oxidative burst), and the IL-6 are influenced in patients with iron deficiency anemia. Study of these abnormalities after correction of iron deficiency is strongly needed.
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Observational Study
Effect of age and sex on retinal layer thickness and volume in normal eyes.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of sex and age on the thickness of the retinal layer in normal eyes using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Fifty healthy subjects between the ages of 20 and 80 had their retinal layers measured using SD-OCT at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital. ⋯ Conversely, the thickness and volume of foveal INL and IR were larger in the older group than in the younger group. The thickness and volume of the retinal layer in normal eyes significantly vary depending on age and sex. These results should be considered when evaluating layer analysis in retinal disease.
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Our study aimed to elucidate the role of Kisspeptin (KISS1) in tumor tissues of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and investigate the prognostic value of this biomarker. Forty EOC patients and 20 uterine fibroids female patients with healthy ovaries undergoing cytoreductive surgery between January 2010 and January 2014 in our hospital were enrolled in this study. KISS1 expression in tumor and normal tissues was detected. ⋯ Multivariate survival analysis indicated significant influence of residual tumor size (HR = 2.357, P = 0.039) and preoperative KISS1 mRNA (HR = 0.0001, P <0.001) on mean survival time. Patients with low KISS1 mRNA expression had shorter survival time than those with high expression (P = 0.001). Preoperative KISS1 mRNA was a potential prognostic biomarker for EOC, and high preoperative KISS1 expression indicated a favorable prognosis.
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Reconstruction of the auricular conchal cavity is relatively difficult because of its unique structure, shape, and location. We compared different methods of repair of the auricular concha to determine the method that would cause the least injury to the donor site. The method selected was based on the location and size of the defect. ⋯ All patients were satisfied with the outcome. The periauricular flap technique chosen for reconstruction of skin defects in the auricular concha depends on the size and location of the defect. With appropriate flap selection, excellent functional, and aesthetic outcomes are achieved.