Medicine
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The results of published studies which examined the association between variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RN) and ischemic stroke (IS) are conflicting. Thus, we performed a meta-analysis to examine the potential association between IL-1RN VNTR polymorphism and IS risk. ⋯ In conclusion, our results suggested that there was no sufficient evidence to support the association between IL-1RN 86-bp VNTR polymorphism and IS. Further large epidemiologic studies need to be done to confirm these findings.
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Review Case Reports
Ovarian yolk sac tumor in postmenopausal females: A case series and a literature review.
Ovarian yolk sac tumors (YSTs) are the second most common histologic type of ovarian germ cell tumors. Most patients are adolescent and young women, while cases in postmenopausal women were rarely reported. Due to its rarity, we know little about the treatment and prognosis of postmenopausal patients with ovarian YSTs. We reported 3 cases of mixed ovarian YST in postmenopausal females reviewed the related current English literature. ⋯ The diagnosis of postmenopausal ovarian YST is relatively difficult and it can coexist with other germ cell or epithelial tumors. Postmenopausal ovarian YSTs are aggressive, and may have a worse prognosis compared with those in young patients. More aggressive treatment is needed. When YST mixed with epithelial cancer components, adjuvant chemotherapy regimen should include platinum-based chemotherapy aiming at both epithelial ovarian cancer and germ cell tumors.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Survey of family satisfaction with intensive care units: A prospective multicenter study.
Although family satisfaction is an important indicator for quality improvement of intensive care units (ICUs), few studies have translated family satisfaction data into quality improvement in Asia. A prospective multicenter study was conducted to evaluate family satisfaction regarding the care of patients and their family. The family satisfaction in the ICU (FS-ICU) questionnaire was administered from January 2015 to February 2016 at ICUs of 3 tertiary teaching hospitals in South Korea. ⋯ We evaluated family satisfaction regarding ICUs for the first time in Asia using a validated tool. The decision to not resuscitate, ICU mortality, and ICU culture were associated with family satisfaction with critical care. Efforts should be targeted for improving factors that cause low family satisfaction when planning quality improvement interventions for ICUs in Asia.
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Review Case Reports
Spontaneous expulsion of a huge cervical leiomyoma from the vagina after cesarean: A case report with literature review.
As more and more women delay their child bearing age, the prevalence of uterine fibroids during pregnancy is likely to increase. ⋯ We report a Chinese Tibetan case with spontaneous expulsion of a huge cervical myoma after cesarean. Decreased blood supply of the myoma and the uterine contraction may contribute to the spontaneous expulsion. Vaginal-myomectomy is recommended as the initial treatment.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Socheongryong-tang for improving nasal symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis: A study protocol for a randomized, open-label, cetirizine controlled, clinical trial.
Socheongryong-tang (SCRT) is an herbal medicine with anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties, commonly used in East Asian countries to reduce rhinitis symptoms. There have been several clinical studies of its effects on allergic rhinitis (AR), but no trials comparing it with conventional treatment. We present the protocol for a feasibility trial to assess the safety and clinical effectiveness of SCRT in AR in comparison with cetirizine. ⋯ The findings of this study are expected to provide the basis for a full-scale randomized controlled trial to confirm the safety and effectiveness of SCRT for the treatment of nasal symptoms in patients with AR patients not controlled by conventional therapy.