Medicine
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The study aimed to explore the association between family functioning and quality of life (QOL) in family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. Totally 121 family caregivers were surveyed in the cross-sectional study by the self-administration questionnaires about sociodemographic characteristics, family functioning and QOL. Family functioning was evaluated in terms of the family assessment device and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale II China Version. ⋯ Family functioning is associated with mental health rather than the physical health of family caregivers. Psychoeducational intervention could focus on family caregivers with a lower educational level and closer kinship, and those who look after patients with multiple episodes schizophrenia. Further family intervention could focus on family adaptability and affective expression in family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia.
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Comparative Study
Analysis of dermoscopic characteristic for the differential diagnosis of palmoplantar psoriasis and palmoplantar eczema.
Dermoscopy is a noninvasive diagnostic technique that is of great value for the differential diagnosis of palmoplantar psoriasis and palmoplantar eczema. Considering the particularity of palmoplantar anatomy, the dermoscopic features of psoriasis and eczema in palm region show fewer differences, compared with those in other parts of the body. ⋯ Target palmoplantar areas were observed through general observation and under dermoscope. We found that the presence of white scales and a regular arrangement of dots and globular vessels were significantly indicative of palmoplantar psoriasis, while yellowish scales and an irregular arrangement of atypical vessels were significantly indicative of palmoplantar eczema.
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Numerous studies have reported the variable quality of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) across various domains. The aim of this study was to systematically assess the quality, methodology, and consistency of recently developed traditional and conventional medicine CPGs that focus on the management of osteoporosis and provide helpful recommendations for patients with osteoporosis. From June 2020 to July 2020, CPGs with osteoporosis targeting any age were systematically retrieved. ⋯ The conventional CPGs focused on pharmacological treatments, calcium and vitamin D intake, and prevention, while the traditional CPGs consistently emphasized on herbal medicine and non-pharmaceutical treatment and management. Further development of CPGs will require improvement in domains where low item scores have been obtained in the quality assessment in this present study. Further research is needed on alternative modalities for osteoporosis, especially complementary approaches, and higher quality CPGs are needed to facilitate evidence-based clinical practice.
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Observational Study
Clinicopathological characteristics of young never smoker females with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: A STROBE compliant retrospective observational study.
Although the incidence of oral cavity cancer (OCC) in young never smoker females is increasing worldwide, there has been little research on the etiologies and characteristics of these patients to date. In this study, we sought to evaluate the annual increase in OCC incidence in young never smoker females (YNSF) in our hospital as well as to investigate their clinicopathological characteristics and different disease courses compared with those of other OCC patients. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who were diagnosed and treated at our tertiary referral hospital from 2006 to 2016. ⋯ However, YNSF showed no significant differences compared with other OCC patients, even in subgroup analyses for overall survival. Our study did not demonstrate significant changes in the annual proportion of YNSF among OCC patients. In addition, differences in neither clinicopathological characteristics nor survival were noted between YNSF and other OCC patients.
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Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are rare sarcomas arising from peripheral nerves. MPNSTs are uncommon in the head and neck, and various clinical manifestation often make the diagnosis challenging. ⋯ Though the involvement of carotid artery with neuroendocrine activity is rare in sporadic MPNST, preoperative scanning of blood and urine catecholamine is crucial for intraoperative hemodynamic stability, especially when carotid artery is involved.