Medicine
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Better clinical outcomes after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty when comparing with high tibial osteotomy.
Both high tibial osteotomy (HTO) and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) are well-established treatments for medial knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, it is unclear whether HTO or UKA leads to better clinical outcomes and lower complication rates. This meta-analysis compared the clinical outcomes and complications of HTO and UKA in patients with medial knee OA. ⋯ There were no significant differences in the revision rate to TKA between HTO and UKA. However, results from subgroup analyses suggested that opening-wedge HTO resulted in a lower revision rate to TKA than did UKA, whereas closing-wedge HTO resulted in a higher revision rate to TKA than did UKA. In addition, UKA resulted in significantly better functional outcomes and postoperative velocity, along with less postoperative pain, fewer postoperative complications, and lower postoperative ROM. Based on the findings of current meta-analysis, UKA appears to be as efficacious and safe as HTO in the treatment of medial knee OA.
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Review Case Reports
Brain metastasis in a patient with melanoma receiving Pembrolizumab therapy: A case report and review of the literature.
Melanoma with brain metastasis is associated with a poor prognosis and high mortality rate. As patients with this condition have been excluded from most clinical trials, data on the use of anti-programmed death 1 therapy for these patients are limited. ⋯ In the case reported here, a delayed and mixed response was observed after Pembrolizumab was used. Because of causing severe pulmonary infection, the use of steroids should be considered carefully when treating immunorelated adverse events. It seemed that the Pembrolizumab has a positive effect on melanoma brain metastases especially combined with other treatments. However, there are still some challenges including patient selection, predictors of response, drug tolerance, optimizing combination strategies and control of adverse effects. More carefully designed clinical trials are urgently needed.
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Endometriosis-associated malignant transformation in abdominal surgical scar (EAMTAS) is a very rare and aggressive phenomenon. Our current article aims to provide a clinical overview, focusing on risk factors affecting survival. ⋯ EAMTAS is a rare and aggressive disease. It is mostly related to cesarean section scars and is diagnosed many years postsurgery. Clear-cell histology tends to endure from the worse prognosis. The treatment is mainly extensive surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial assessing the effects of nifedipine on embryo transfer: Study protocol.
Implantation failure is the main factor affecting the success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. Studies have reported that uterine contractions (UCs) at the time of embryo transfer (ET) were inversely related to implantation and pregnancy rate, hence reducing the success of IVF treatment. Various pharmacological agents, with the exception of calcium channel blocker (CCB), have been investigated to reduce UC. In this regard, we are presenting a proposal for a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. The trial aims to determine whether nifedipine, a CCB with potent smooth muscle relaxing activity and an excellent safety profile, can improve the outcome of ET. ⋯ We will recruit 100 infertile women into one of 2 groups: placebo (n = 50) and nifedipine 20 mg (n = 50). Study participants will be admitted 30 minutes prior to ET and given either tablet after their baseline vital signs have been recorded. They will then undergo ET and be observed for adverse events for another 30 minutes post-ET. The primary outcome will be implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate. Secondary outcomes include adverse events, miscarriage and pregnancy, and neonatal outcomes. Resulting data will then be analyzed using t test, Chi-square test, and multivariate test to compare outcomes between the 2 groups for any statistical significance. This protocol has been designed in accordance with the SPIRIT 2013 Guidelines.
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Review Case Reports
Treatment-related acute granulocyte-monocytic leukemia from multiple myeloma: A case report and literature review.
To investigate the clinical features of treatment-related acute granulocyte-monocytic leukemia (t-AML) from multiple myeloma (MM) thereby improving the understanding of this disease. ⋯ The reported case was a rare t-AML, which is resistant to currently available treatments and has a poor prognosis.