Medicine
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To evaluate the methylation levels of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) promoter three CpG island (CGIs) regions and its prognostic impact in Chinese patients with acral and mucosal melanoma. ⋯ CGIs-2 methylation level was associated with the relative expression level of hTERT mRNA, lymph node metastasis and TNM staging, suggesting that CGIs-2 hypermethylation might be used to evaluate the prognosis in Chinese patients with acral and mucosal melanoma.
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The infiltration of tumor cells to pulmonary lymphatic system, as known as pulmonary lymphangitis carcinomatosis (PLC), is a rare presentation of pulmonary metastases. ⋯ 18F-FDG PET/CT play an important role in identifying PLC, in selecting possible biopsy sites, and in accessing the extent of metastatic disease.
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Observational Study
Step-advanced rectangular flap: A novel technique for the reconstruction of soft-tissue defects overlying the Achilles tendon in children (an observational study).
Soft-tissue defects overlying the Achilles tendon are common complications after bicycle or motorcycle spoke injuries in children and usually require surgical management by various flaps. There is no apparent consensus on the optimal choice of flaps for these injuries. We designed a novel step-advanced rectangular flap to reconstruct small to moderate soft-tissue defects around the Achilles tendon. ⋯ Ankle function was normal, and satisfactory results were obtained in all cases. According to the Mazur evaluation system, the results were excellent in 9 patients and good in 3, with an excellent and good rate of 100% at 12 months postoperatively. The rectangular advancement flap appears to be a simple and reliable method for small to moderate soft tissue defects overlying the Achilles tendon in children.
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Marfan syndrome (MFS), an autosomal dominant hereditary disease, often results in structural and functional abnormalities of the aortic wall. Because of residual aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection, patients with MFS usually need repeat operations after the first operation. ⋯ Using artificial material to repair and wrap the area of the residual vessel during the first surgery can provide an anchor area for future endovascular stent implantation and also offer a possibility for stent implantation in patients with MFS.
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Elabela is a bioactive peptide and a part of Apelinergic system. Elabela has an important role in the early embryonic stages. Elabela's beneficial effects in cardiovascular system were shown in some animal models or in vitro studies. ⋯ This correlation was also moderate. We showed increased Elabela levels in STEMI patients in this study. Also, we observed a moderate positive correlation between troponin I, NT-ProBNP, and Elabela.