Medicine
-
The occurrence and development of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are closely related to the immune status of the tumor-host. The immunosuppression caused by tumor cells and toxic side effects produced by chemotherapeutic drugs results in a decrease in immune function, ultimately leading to the failure of clinical chemotherapy treatment. Ginsenoside Rg3 has been clinically reported to have positive effects in enhancing immune function in patients. Thus, we screened and evaluated the quality of the evidence regarding the benefits of ginsenoside Rg3 and conducted a meta-analysis to assess the impact on improving immune function in NSCLC. ⋯ This study confirmed that ginsenoside Rg3 has some efficacy advantages for improving immune function in patients with NSCLC.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Effectiveness of prophylactic antimicrobial levofloxacin against postureteroscopic lithotripsy infection: A multicenter prospective open-label randomized controlled trial.
To verify the appropriate prophylactic agent to prevent ureteroscopic lithotripsy infection, which is safe, effective, convenient, reasonable, and with best pharmacoeconomic benefit ratio, to provide evidence for clinical practice. ⋯ The application of levofloxacin is safe, effective, and low-cost regimen for postureteroscopic lithotripsy infection prevention.
-
Meta Analysis
Unilateral biportal endoscopy versus microscopic decompression in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis: A meta-analysis.
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there is a superior clinical effect of unilateral biportal endoscopy compared with microscopic decompression in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis. ⋯ For patients with lumbar spinal stenosis, unilateral biportal endoscopy was found to be more superior than microscopic decompression in terms of operation time, hospital stays, EuroQol 5-Dimension questionnaire, back visual analogue score, leg visual analogue score and the C-reactive protein level. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in other outcome indicators.
-
O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) is a DNA repair enzyme that maintains the stability of genetic information. MGMT is a strong prognostic biomarker in patients with glioblastoma. However, the effect of its gene hypermethylation and expression on the survival rate of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients is still disputed. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the prognostic value of MGMT hypermethylation and expression in HNC patients. ⋯ HNC patients with MGMT hypermethylation and low expression were more likely to exhibit poorer survival. MGMT hypermethylation and low expression can predict survival in patients with HNC.
-
Review Case Reports
Primary cervical meningeal melanocytoma with a dumbbell shape: Case report and review of the literature.
Meningeal melanocytoma is a rare benign pigmented tumor originat from leptomeningeal melanocytes. Here, we report the case of a female who presented with numbness and weakness of the limbs for approximately 6 months. ⋯ This case suggested 2 "take-away" lessons: first, spinal meningeal melanocytomas may be dumbbell-shaped; and second, melanocytoma could appear as hyperintense, isointense, or hypointense on T2-weighted MRI.