Medicine
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Observational Study
Angiolymphatic invasion and absence of koilocytosis predict lymph node metastasis in penile cancer patients and might justify prophylactic lymphadenectomy.
To analyze possible clinical-pathological parameters and predictors of lymph node metastasis and evaluate the impact of lymphadenectomy in the survival of these patients. A retrospective study of patients diagnosed with penile cancer and submitted to regional lymphadenectomy at two reference hospitals in Maranhão, Northeast, Brazil, an area where the disease has a high incidence. We described here clinical and histopathological characteristics of patients diagnosed between January 2009 and September 2017. ⋯ Angiolymphatic invasion and absence of koilocytosis appeared to be predictive factors for lymph node metastasis. Therefore, the submission of patients with metastatic risk to prophylactic lymphadenectomy may improve their survival. Thus, prophylactic lymphadenectomy in patients at risk for inguinal metastasis may create a positive impact in survival rates.
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The incidence of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) has recently increased, and early and accurate diagnosis of IFIs is important for the rational selection of antifungal drugs with high efficacy. We developed a method for rapid and accurate clinical diagnosis of IFIs and provide a reference for personalized drug treatment. We designed and screened fungal internal transcribed spacer regions with universal primers and designed 8 TaqMan detection probes to establish a multi-channel real-time fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) melting curve analysis (MCA) method. ⋯ The multi-channel real-time fluorescence PCR melting curve analysis displayed high sensitivity and specificity in detecting various clinically invasive fungi. Furthermore, it simultaneously detected the genera Candida, Cryptococcus, and Aspergillus and identified Candida at the species level. Our method can facilitate early and accurate clinical diagnosis and personalized medication regimens.
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has a significant impact on quality of life and is costly to the health care system. It has been demonstrated that a self-management program improves quality of life, but programs are not universally available and telehealth interventions can provide home-based support, but have mixed results. ⋯ This study is the first to evaluate the application of telehealth to optimize COPD management in Lebanon. The results of this study will provide evidence regarding the efficacy and feasibility of this approach for Lebanese patients with moderate to severe COPD.
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Intranasal dexmedetomidine versus oral chloral hydrate for diagnostic procedures sedation in infants and toddlers: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Intranasal dexmedetomidine is a relatively new way to sedate young children undergoing nonpainful diagnostic procedures. We performed a meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of intranasal dexmedetomidine in young children with those of oral chloral hydrate, which has been a commonly used method for decades. ⋯ Our meta-analysis revealed that intranasal dexmedetomidine is possibly a more effective and acceptable sedation method for infants and toddlers undergoing diagnostic procedures than oral chloral hydrate. Additionally, it shows similar safety profile and could be a potential alternative to oral chloral hydrate.
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Placebo response rate in patients with chronic constipation: A protocol for systematic review.
The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to calculate the pooled placebo response rate in patients with chronic constipation (CC) in randomized controlled trial (RCT) and its related factors. ⋯ The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.