Medicine
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Recent reports have documented an unchanged rate of occurrence of colorectal cancer (CRC) and have publicised doubts regarding the benefit of prompt colonoscopy procedures after an episode of acute diverticulitis (AD). These reports mandate further evaluation of colonoscopy yield and timing in this regard. The current study aims to determine whether the rate of advanced colonic neoplasia after AD differs from that of average-risk patients, and to identify risk factors that are associated with their development. ⋯ Cases of complicated diverticulitis, however, were associated with increased risk of advanced neoplasia diagnosis (odds ratio (OR) 3.729, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.803-7.713; P = .01). The diagnosis rate for advanced neoplasia after AD was not significantly different from that of average-risk populations. A course of complicated AD, however, was a potential risk factor.
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Care maps (CMs), which are innovative, comprehensive, educational, and simple medical tools, were developed for 6 common diseases, including heart failure, stroke, hyperglycemia, urinary tract infection, dengue infection, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding, were implemented in a short-stay ambulatory ward. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of and level of clinician satisfaction with CMs in an ambulatory care setting. A retrospective chart review study comparing the quality of care between before and after CM implementation was conducted. ⋯ Most CM users reported satisfaction with CMs. CMs were shown to be an effective tool for improving the quality of care in patients with ambulatory infectious diseases. In that patient subgroup, LOS and admission cost were both significantly reduced compared to pre-CM implementation.
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Observational Study
Serum level of high mobility group box protein-1 and prognosis of patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
To investigate serum level of high mobility group box protein-1 (HMGB1) and prognosis of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD). This prospective cohort observational study included a total of 253 ESRD patients who came to our hospital for HD or PD from February 2013 to February 2015. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to detect the serum level of HMGB1, interleukin (IL-6), IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). ⋯ Moreover, patients with higher HMGB1 had more complications than patients with lower HMGB1, but there was no difference for the survival rate. In addition, the quality of life was associated with different dialysis methods. The serum level of HMGB1 and prognosis of ESRD patients was associated with different dialysis methods.
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Case Reports
Calcified extra-axial cavernous malformation arising from lower cranial nerves: A case report and literature review.
Extra-axial cavernous malformations (ECMs) arising from cranial nerves (CNs) are rare. Complete "en bloc" lesion resection and hemosiderin-stained tissue preservation remain the standard treatment, while a different strategy may be needed when the lesion is highly calcified . We report the 3rd calcified ECM-CN and review the clinical features and surgical strategy for this rare condition considering previous literature. ⋯ Calcified ECM-CNs are unique cavernous malformations arising from CNs. Piecemeal resection and subtotal or near-total excision are 2 major aspects that differ from the surgical strategy for general ECM-CNs.
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Case Reports
A case report of congenital idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism caused by novel mutation of GNRHR gene.
This study aimed to investigate the genetic mutation characteristics of congenital idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) through the clinical features and genetic analysis of 2 patients with IHH in 1 pedigree. ⋯ We reported a novel GNRHR mutation in a pedigree with congenital idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Glutamine at amino acid position 174 was highly conserved among various species. The molecular structure of GNRHR protein showed that p.Q174R mutation brought in a new stable hydrogen bond between position 174 and 215, may impede conformational mobility of the TMD4 and TMD5. It suggests that the missense mutation c.521A > G related to congenital idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism was probably a causative factor for both sisters. Through high-throughput sequencing and experimental verification, we had basically determined the patient's pathogenic mutation and inheritance, which could better guide doctors for treatment.