Medicine
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This pilot study retrospectively assessed the feasible efficacy of TurboHawk plaque rotation system (THPRS) for treatment of arteriosclerosis occlusion in lower extremities (AOLE). A total of 36 eligible patients with AOLE were included in this pilot retrospective study. We divided all those patients into a treatment group and a control group, each group 18 patients. ⋯ This pilot study did not show better outcome improvement of THPRS for patients with AOLE. We cautiously draw the present conclusion, because it suffers from several major restrictions. Thus, further studies with larger sample size and longer term follow-up are still needed to warrant the current conclusion.
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Observational Study
Comprehensive residency-based point-of-care ultrasound training program increases ultrasound utilization in the emergency department.
Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) is a prompt and simple tool for the urgent diagnosis and treatment of patients in the emergency department (ED). We developed a comprehensive residency-based POCUS training program for ED residents and determined its effect on ultrasound utilization in the ED. We conducted a retrospective cohort study in the ED of a university-affiliated medical center, to evaluate a centralized residency-based POCUS training course for ED residents, which included 12 core ultrasound applications, from July 2017 to June 2018. ⋯ Utilization of POCUS among the ED residents increased significantly, from 0.15 ultrasound studies per patient per year to 0.41 ultrasound studies per patient per year (P < .01), after completion of the entire training course. Increased POCUS scanning percentages over the cardiac tissue, soft tissue, abdominal region, vascular system, procedural guidance, and ocular regions were also noted after providing the curriculum. Conducting a comprehensive POCUS education program may enhance POCUS utilization among residents in the ED.
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Adenomyoepithelioma (AME) is a rare biphasic tumor consisting of epithelial and Myoepithelial cell. Most of the AME is benign, and only a few will progress to malignancy, Here, we report a case of low-grade malignant adenomyoepithelioma, and review the related literature, in a bid to investigate its clinical and pathological features and thus, enhance our understanding of this tumor. ⋯ Treatment of AME remains controversial owing to the lack of high volume data and absence of prospective studies. Simple mastectomy is an acceptable treatment of this tumor.
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Clinical Trial
Effect of robot-assisted gait training on gait automaticity in Parkinson disease: A prospective, open-label, single-arm, pilot study.
Gait automaticity is reduced in patients with Parkinson disease (PD) due to impaired habitual control. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) on gait automaticity as well as gait speed and balance in patients with PD. This study was a prospective, open-label, single-arm, pilot study. ⋯ A significant improvement was observed in Berg Balance Scale score at T1 and T2 (P = .004 and P = .024, respectively). In this pilot study, despite improvement in walking speed and balance, gait automaticity in patients with PD was not improved by RAGT using an exoskeleton-type robot. Additional therapeutic components may be needed to improve gait automaticity using RAGT in patients with PD.
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Observational Study
ETS1 polymorphism rs73013527 in relation to serum RANKL levels among patients with RA.
We previously identified E26 transformation specific sequence 1 (ETS1) rs73013527 single nucleotide polymorphism associated with RA susceptibility and disease activity. In the present study, we aims to further investigate the association between ETS1 rs73013527 and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL), an index related to bone destruction and was reported to elevate in RA. We determined genotypes of ETS1 rs73013527, serum RANKL concentration, clinical characteristics (disease duration, disease activity score for 28 painful/swollen joints), and laboratory markers (rheumatoid factor, anti-citrullinated protein antibody, anti-keratin antibody, c-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate) of 254 RA cases. ⋯ Univariate analysis, not multivariate analysis indicated genotype CT/TT of ETS1 rs73013527 was significantly associated with elevated RANKL levels in RA patients. ETS1 rs73013527 is in relation to serum RANKL levels among patients with RA. ETS1 probably might be an indirect factors involved in RANKL regulation in RA.