Medicine
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Meta Analysis
Efficacy of acupuncture on acute pharynx infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Several clinical reports have focused on acupuncture for the treatment of acute pharyngeal infections. However, the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of acute pharyngeal infections are controversial. To systematically assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in treating acute pharynx infections, thus providing a reference for clinical decision-making. ⋯ Thus, acupuncture therapy for acute pharyngeal infections is safe and its response rate is superior to that of antibiotics. Acupuncture showed positive outcomes for alleviating the sore throat symptoms, shortening the sore throat duration, and improving the immune inflammation index. Nevertheless, owing to the limitations of this study, our conclusions should be interpreted with caution. More high-quality trials are warranted in the future for improving the methodology and reporting quality.
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This meta-analysis compared the effects of intravenous Tranexamic acid (TXA) and a placebo on hemostasis, hospital course, and complications in adult patients undergoing various urologic surgeries. ⋯ Intravenous TXA can reduce intraoperative blood loss, decrease the need for transfusion, and shorten operative time, and it does not increase the risk of thromboembolic events.
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This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of completely retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy (CRNU) for the treatment of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). ⋯ The findings suggest that CRNU is an advanced surgical technique that is safe and effective for the treatment of UTUC. We recommend that CRNU be further employed for patients with UTUC. Further randomized, multicenter trials are needed to validate these results, given the limitations of this study.
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The association between pretreatment systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and long-term survival among Chinese esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients who received radical radiotherapy remains unclear. The aim of this study was to identify the prognostic role of pretreatment SII in Chinese ESCC patients receiving radical radiotherapy based on current evidence. ⋯ Pretreatment SII could serve as a novel prognostic factor in Chinese ESCC patients receiving definitive radiotherapy and patients with an elevated SII may experience poorer survival.
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Review Case Reports
A malignant proliferating trichilemmal cyst arising on the elbow of a man: A case report and review of the literature.
Trichilemmal cysts (TCs) are common benign cysts that form from the hair follicles in the skin. Proliferating trichilemmal cysts (PTCs) are rare types of TCs characterized by rapid cellular proliferation. Malignant transformation of PTC (MPTC) is a rare adnexal tumor that account for <0.1% of all skin cancers. TCs and PTCs are benign tumors; however, MPTCs grow rapidly and are prone to metastasis. ⋯ In addition to being a very rare disease, MTPC occurred in the elbow of a man who does not fit the general etiology; therefore, it is considered an interesting case, and we report this case for academic contribution.