Medicine
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Prolonged labor, defined as labor extending beyond 20 hours for nulliparas and 14 hours for multiparas, poses significant risks to both maternal and neonatal health. The inflammatory response plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of prolonged labor, with neutrophils being key players in this process. Neutrophils, the most abundant leukocytes, exhibit diverse phenotypes and functions in response to prolonged labor, influencing both the onset and progression of labor through their inflammatory actions. ⋯ Therapeutic strategies targeting neutrophil recruitment, NETosis, and cytokine production hold promise for managing prolonged labor. Modulating chemokine pathways, regulating NET formation, and balancing cytokine profiles may reduce inflammation and improve labor outcomes. Further research into the mechanisms of neutrophil regulation and the development of targeted therapies is essential for mitigating the adverse effects of prolonged labor and enhancing maternal and neonatal health.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Treatment outcomes and healthcare resource utilization in critically ill COVID-19 patients in Korea: A nationwide multicenter cohort study.
COVID-19 pandemic was accompanied by many healthcare-related issues. Concrete national data regarding the care performance of critical ill cases of COVID-19 does not exist in Korea. The current study aimed to describe the treatment outcome and healthcare resource utilization of critically ill COVID-19 patients. ⋯ In South Korea, mortality rates for patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia have been shown substantial fatality, with the highest mortality rates observed in wave 3. The increased mortality rate in wave 3 could be associated with the rapid escalation of critically ill COVID-19 patients and the consequent saturation of intensive care unit capacities. Patients received NIV therapy and prone position ventilation more frequently in wave 3 as the number of cases increased.
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Observational Study
Evaluation of empirical antibiotic use in diabetic foot infections at a tertiary hospital in Vietnam: A retrospective study.
Empirical antibiotic prescription guidelines were developed at the University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City in 2020, which included recommendations for the use of antibiotics to treat diabetic foot infections (DFIs). This study investigated the treatment outcomes when implementing empirical antibiotic guidelines. This retrospective study included 120 inpatients with DFIs at the Department of Endocrinology, University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City. ⋯ After implementing empirical antibiotic guidelines, a greater proportion of improvement in the first 7 days of hospitalization (75.0% vs 56.7%, P = .03), and a shorter median duration of hospitalization (12.5 days vs 15.0 days, P = .02) were observed in patients with DFIs. All the patients showed improvement at the time of hospital discharge. The study findings revealed the encouraging effects of implementing empirical antibiotic prescription guidelines for DFI treatment.
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Primary plasma cell leukemia is a rare and highly aggressive malignancy of the blood system, with rapid disease progression and a high early mortality rate. Currently, there is no recognized therapeutic regimen, leading to the adoption of strategies typically utilized for multiple myeloma, which, however, exhibit limited efficacy. Selinexor is considered effective in treating relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, but there are currently no reports on its application in primary plasma cell leukemia. Here, we reported a case of primary plasma cell leukemia with multiple high-risk genetic factors (including 1q21+, 17p-, and 13q-) who received a chemotherapy regimen including selinexor, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone. ⋯ The combination of selinexor with pomalidomide and dexamethasone has shown good efficacy in primary plasma cell leukemia with high-risk genetic abnormalities. Our case may provide evidence for developing an effective selinexor-based regimen for treating primary plasma cell leukemia with high-risk genetic abnormalities.
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Small-cell undifferentiated carcinoma (SmCC), as an aggressive malignancy, are most commonly arising in lung. Extrapulmonary SmCC is rare. It was reported that SmCC accounts for only 0.1% to 0.2% of colorectal cancers. Currently, no standard treatment regimen is recommended. Here, we presented a case of SmCC from rectum. The patient achieved pathological complete response (pCR) after surgery, which makes us feel gratified, and we are also eager to share this successful case with more peers to provide more references for clinical decision-making. ⋯ This is the first to be reported in a rectal SmCC patient who achieved pCR after nCRT combined with ICIs, which may provide supporting data for using this treatment option for rectal SmCC.