Medicine
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This is an immunohistologic study of gene expression between patients and controls.This study aims to evaluate expression of the catalase gene in hypertrophied ligamentum flavum (LF) specimens obtained from patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSCS).LSCS is one of the most common spinal disorders. It is well known that LF hypertrophy plays an important role in the onset of LSCS. Although degenerative changes, aging, and mechanical stress are all thought to contribute to hypertrophy and fibrosis of the LF, the precise pathogenesis of LF hypertrophy remains unknown. Previous genetic studies have tried to determine the mechanism of LF hypertrophy. However, the association between catalase gene expression and LF hypertrophy has not yet been explored. ⋯ Our findings suggest that decreased expression of catalase is associated with LF hypertrophy in patients with LSCS.
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Observational Study
Risk of Parkinson disease in Sjögren syndrome administered ineffective immunosuppressant therapies: A nationwide population-based study.
To determine the incidence and risk of Parkinson disease (PD) in patients with Sjögren syndrome (SS) according to a nationwide population-based database. In total, 12,640 patients in the SS cohort and 50,560 in the non-SS cohort were enrolled from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database from 2000 to 2010. We used the Cox multivariable proportional hazards model to determine the risk factors for PD in the SS cohort. ⋯ The aHR of PD significantly increased when the follow-up period exceeded 9 years (aHR, 1.93). We determined an increased risk of PD in patients with SS. Further investigation is warranted to determine the possible underlying mechanisms and the potential role of non-hydroxychloroquine immunosuppressants in ameliorating PD.
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It is unclear whether procalcitonin (PCT) is correlated with noninvasive ventilation (NIV) failure. This retrospective case-control study aimed to compare PCT levels, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and PaCO2 in patients (05/2014-03/2015 at the Harrison International Peace Hospital, China) with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) and NIV failure/success. This was a retrospective case-control study of patients with AECOPD who required NIV between May 2014 and March 2015. ⋯ PCT, CRP, and PaCO2 were used to obtain a combined prediction factor, which achieved an AUC of 0.978 (95%CI: 0.961-0.995). High serum PCT, CRP, and PaCO2 levels predict NIV failure for patients with AECOPD. The combination of these three parameters might enable even more accurate prediction.
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Observational Study
Risk factors for graft failure after penetrating keratoplasty.
The objective of our study was to define principal risk factors for graft failure in patients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty (PK). Retrospective data obtained from a cohort of 895 penetrating keratoplasties performed between 2001 and 2006 were analysed. Recipient related factors, graft characteristics, and surgical technique were assessed in a univariate analysis and with a multivariate proportional hazard model to detect principal risk factors for definitive graft failure. ⋯ Primary PK grafts had a survival rate of 81%, second grafts of 33% and third or more grafts of 16%. Overall 10-year survival estimate based on univariate analysis was found to be 65%. In conclusion, we found that primary diagnosis and previous graft failures in the recipient are the most important risk factors of graft failure after a PK.
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Case Reports
Progressive sacroiliitis due to accessory sacroiliac joint mimicking ankylosing spondylitis: A case report.
An accessory sacroiliac (SI) joint usually has little clinical significance. However, severe arthritic changes can cause chronic buttock or low back pain and can be misdiagnosed as another disease presenting with sacroiliitis such as ankylosing spondylitis (AS). ⋯ An accessory SI joint can be a cause of chronic back pain and can be misdiagnosed as AS with sacroiliitis when progressive arthritic changes are observed. Therefore, additional imaging studies other than conventional X-ray or MRI may be required for accurate diagnosis.