Medicine
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In Malaysia, oral cancer is very common and the reported 5-year survival of such patients is nearly 50% after treatment with surgery and radiotherapy, much lower than most of the developed countries. This study aimed to investigate the socio-demographic and clinicopathological parameters that influence the mortality rate of the patients suffering from oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in the Kelantanse population. In this retrospective study, data regarding socio-demographic, clinicopathological factors, and treatment outcome associated with OSCC were gathered from the archives of the medical records office of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. ⋯ When this study was performed, the survival status of the majority of the patients was alive (68.24%). Within the analyzed socio-demographic and clinicopathological parameters, gender, alcohol consumption, T-classification, histological grading, and treatment status have been demonstrated as an independent risk factors for mortality rate in multivariate analysis. Hence, these parameters need to be taken into account for the individualized therapy management of OSCC patients.
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Comparative Study
Immediate breast reconstruction is oncologically safe for node-positive patients: Comparison using propensity score matching.
The oncological safety of immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) in lymph node-positive patients is unclear. In the present study, the impact of IBR on recurrence based on data of patients with axillary lymph node metastases only was examined. The subjects were 232 patients who underwent breast surgery. ⋯ In all patients, the 5-year LRRFS rate was 77.3%, and the RFS rate was 70.5%. Multivariate Cox regression analysis to identify factors affecting RFS in all patients showed that estrogen receptor status and high nuclear grade were significant prognostic factors; IBR was irrelevant. This is the first report of an analysis using propensity score matching limited to node-positive breast cancer patients, and it showed that IBR is relatively safe in such patients.
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Observational Study
Removal of a catheter mount and heat-and-moisture exchanger improves hypercapnia in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome: A retrospective observational study.
To avoid ventilator-associated lung injury in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) treatment, respiratory management should be performed at a low tidal volume of 6 to 8 mL/kg and plateau pressure of ≤30 cmH2O. However, such lung-protective ventilation often results in hypercapnia, which is a risk factor for poor outcomes. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the removal of a catheter mount (CM) and using heated humidifiers (HH) instead of a heat-and-moisture exchanger (HME) for reducing the mechanical dead space created by the CM and HME, which may improve hypercapnia in patients with ARDS. ⋯ The removal of CM and HME reduced PaCO2 values without changing the ventilator settings in deeply sedated patients with mild-to-moderate ARDS on lung-protective ventilation. Caution should be exercised, as the removal of a CM may result in circuit disconnection or accidental extubation. Nevertheless, this intervention may improve hypercapnia and promote lung-protective ventilation.
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Most classroom teachers are weak in constructing test items for assessment of students. This study examined the effects of cognitive behavioral active engagement training on test items construction skills among primary school teachers in Nigeria. ⋯ The researchers concluded that cognitive behavioral active engagement training is efficacious in the improvement of test items construction skills among primary school teachers in Nigeria.
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Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are growing in use and many of the health implications with these devices remain unknown. This study aims to assess, using a survey representative of the USA general population, if an association exists between a history of ENDS use and a history of stroke. This cross-sectional study was a secondary data analysis using the 2016 behavioral risk factor surveillance system survey. ⋯ This study found a statistically significant and positive association between ENDS use and a history of stroke. Further research is warranted to investigate the reproducibility and temporality of this association. Nevertheless, this study contributes to the growing body of knowledge about the potential cardiovascular concerns related to ENDS use and the need for large cohort studies.