Medicine
-
Comparative Study Observational Study
Propensity score matched analysis comparing the clinical outcome of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli causing community-onset monomicrobial bacteremia.
Bacteremia is a life-threatening condition that is associated with substantial healthcare costs. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are the leading causes of community-onset gram-negative bacteremia. However, a comprehensive comparison between these pathogens involved in bacteremia episodes has yet to be reported. ⋯ Furthermore, despite similar 14- and 28-day crude mortality rates between the 2 PSM groups, more frequent abscess occurrences and a longer length of hospitalization were observed in the K pneumoniae group than in the E coli group. Conclusively, numerous clinical features at initial presentations varied between the E coli and K pneumoniae groups. Despite conducting a PSM analysis to control the differences in the baseline characteristics, a longer length of hospitalization and more frequent abscess occurrences were observed in the K pneumoniae group than in the E coli group.
-
Our objective is to investigate which factors and patient characteristics are associated with success in Trabectome surgery. A total of 658 phakic cases with at least of 12 months follow-up were included in the analysis. Baseline demographics and medical data were collected. ⋯ Trabectome surgery, whether in combination with phacoemulsification cataract removal or stand alone, is associated with a significant reduction of IOP and glaucoma medication. Patients having a higher baseline IOP are expected to have a higher IOP reduction after Trabectome. Pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, combination with phacoemulsification cataract surgery and Hispanic race are factors associated with enhanced Trabectome survival.
-
Comparative Study Observational Study
Comparison of mid-term efficacy of spastic flatfoot in ambulant children with cerebral palsy by 2 different methods.
To compare the treatment efficacy of spastic flatfoot surgery by 2 different surgical methods: nonfusion subtalar arthroereisis using subtalar joint stabilizer (SJS) and Dennyson-Fulford subtalar arthrodesis (D-FSA). A total of 26 cases of ambulant children with cerebral palsy diagnosed as spastic flatfoot were surgically treated from January 2011 to December 2014. Preoperative and postoperative American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society-Ankle and Hindfoot (AOFAS-AH) scores, anteroposterior-talocalcaneal angles (ATAs), and lateral talar-first metatarsal angles (Meary angles) of the affected foot were recorded. ⋯ Only 1 foot had occasional pain. Postoperative ATA was decreased from preoperative 35° (20°-45°) to 16° (12°-25°); lateral X-ray films showed that the Meary angle was decreased from preoperative 19° (10°-40°) to postoperative 2° (0°-5°); the differences in both findings were statistically significant (P < .05). Both nonfusion subtalar arthroereisis using SJS and D-FSA were effective for the surgical treatment of spastic flatfoot, with similar clinical outcomes.
-
Observational Study
Surgery of the primary tumor improves survival in women with stage IV breast cancer in Southwest China: A retrospective analysis.
The International Consensus Guidelines for advanced breast cancer (ABC) considers that the surgery of the primary tumor for stage IV breast cancer patients does not usually improve the survival. However, studies have showed that resection of the primary tumor may benefit these patients. The correlation between surgery and survival remains unclear. ⋯ Additional independent prognostic factors were hormonal therapy (HR, 0.490; 95% CI 0.300-0.800) and radiotherapy (HR, 0.490; 95% CI 0.293-0.819). In addition, a favorable impact of surgery was observed by subgroup analysis. Our study showed that surgery of the primary breast tumor has a positive impact on OS in with stage IV breast cancer patients.
-
Observational Study
Aldosterone and renin in cardiac patients referred for catheterization.
Little is known regarding alterations of the renin-angiotensin system in patients referred for cardiac catheterization. Here, we measured plasma levels of active renin and aldosterone in patients referred for cardiac catheterization in order to determine the prevalence of elevated renin, aldosterone, and the aldosterone-renin ratio. A chemiluminescence assay was used to measure plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and active renin levels in 833 consecutive patients, after an overnight fasting and without any medication for least 12 hours. ⋯ Patients with AF and coexisting hypertension had elevated renin more frequently than AF patients without coexisting hypertension (35.3% vs 16.5%; P = .005). Patients with persistent/permanent AF more frequently had elevated renin than patients with paroxysmal AF (34.1% vs 15.8%; P = .007). This prospective study of consecutive cardiac disease patients referred for cardiac catheterization has revealed distinct cardiac disease condition-associated differences in the frequencies of elevations in plasma renin, PAC, and the aldosterone-renin ratio.