Medicine
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Long-term opioid use for noncancer pain is increasingly prevalent yet controversial given the risks of addiction, diversion, and overdose. Prior literature has identified the problem and proposed management guidelines, but limited evidence exists on the actual effectiveness of implementing such guidelines in a primary care setting. A multidisciplinary working group of institutional experts assembled comprehensive guidelines for chronic opioid prescribing, including monitoring and referral recommendations. ⋯ An educational intervention for primary care opioid prescribing is feasible and was temporally associated with a modest reduction in overall opioid Rx rates. Provider use of routine drug screening increased, but overall rates of screening and specialty referral remained low despite the intervention. Despite national pressures to introduce opioid prescribing guidelines for chronic pain, doing so alone does not necessarily yield substantial changes in clinical practice.
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Comparative Study Observational Study
Role of gender in types and frequency of coronary artery aneurysm and ectasia.
This study aimed to evaluate the role of gender in types and frequency of coronary artery aneurysm and ectasia. We assessed retrospectively the angiography records of 6100 patients. At first, we mainly reviewed angiographic movies for the presence of coronary ectasia and/or aneurysm. ⋯ Incidence of CAE presence on the RCA was significantly greater in males than females (2.7% vs 1.9%, P < 0.05). This study showed that incidence of CAE is more common in males than females. Particularly, frequency for the involvement of CAE on RCA and concurrently on 3 vessels is greater in male patients than female patients.
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An accurate understanding of the anatomy of the levator palpebrae superioris aponeurosis (LPSA) is critical for successful blepharoplasty of aponeurotic ptosis. We investigated the macroscopic and microscopic anatomy of the LPSA. This prospective live gross anatomy study enrolled 200 adult Chinese patients with bilateral mild ptosis undergoing elective blepharoplasty. ⋯ The superficial layer of the LPSA was SMA-immunonegative but the deep layer was slightly immunopositive for SMA. An occult anatomic space exists between the superficial and deep layers of the LPSA, in proximity to the superior tarsal plate margin. Recognition of the more anatomically significant LPSA deep layer may help improve the aesthetic outcome of blepharoplasty.
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Observational Study
Safety and feasibility of the RhinoChill immediate transnasal evaporative cooling device during out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A single-center, observational study.
We investigated feasibility and safety of the RhinoChill (RC) transnasal cooling system initiated before achieving a protected airway during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a prehospital setting. In out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), transnasal evaporative cooling was initiated during CPR, before a protected airway was established and continued until either the patient was declared dead, standard institutional systemic cooling methods were implemented or cooling supply was empty. Patients were monitored throughout the hypothermia period until either death or hospital discharge. ⋯ According to the field reports of the emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, no severe technical problems occurred by using the RC device that led to a delay or the impairment of quality of the CPR. Early application of the RC device, during OHCA is feasible, safe, easy to handle, and does not delay or hinder CPR, or establishment of a secure intubation. For efficacy and further safety data additional studies will be needed.
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The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) in degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) following long instrumented posterior spinal fusion, and to search for predictable risk factors for the progression of junctional kyphosis. In total 98 DLS patients with a minimum 2-year follow-up were reviewed prospectively. According to the occurrence of PJK at the last follow-up, patients were divided into 2 groups: PJK group and non-PJK group. ⋯ When included in a multivariate logistic regression model, BMI>25 kg/m, osteoporosis, and UIV at thoracolumbar junction were independently associated with PJK. In conclusion, osteoporosis, obesity, and UIV at thoracolumbar junction are risk factors for the development and progression of PJK in DLS patients following long instrumented posterior spinal fusion. Antiosteoporosis treatment extends the fusion level above the thoracolumbar region and controlling body weight before and after surgery could provide opportunities to reduce the rate of PJK and to improve therapeutic outcomes.