Medicine
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This study aimed to determine an equation to estimate the optimal insertion length for catheter placement via the posterior approach of the sternocleidomastoid muscle in cancer patients. This retrospective study included patients with cancer who underwent infusion port implantation surgery in the Oncology Department of the 900th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of the Chinese People Liberation Army from April 2017 to September 2023. Patient height (H), weight (W), chest length (C), and length of the internal jugular vein catheter (L) were collected from medical records. ⋯ The multivariable linear regression analysis showed that the equation between the length of the catheter and H and C was L = 0.131 × H + 0.086 × C-8.515 (R² = 0.614, P < .001). The Bland-Altman analysis in the validation set showed that the predicted values of internal jugular vein catheter length and the actual values showed good agreement. The optimal L might be determined by simple formulas based on patients H and C.
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Observational Study
Omalizumab in the treatment of bullous pemphigoid: A single-center series of 15 cases.
Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the elderly population and characterized by the formation of subepidermal tense bullae. Treatment options include topical steroids, systemic steroids, immunosuppressants, and antimicrobials, and there is emerging evidence of the efficacy of omalizumab. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate omalizumab's efficacy for treating BP, and we also reported treatment-related adverse events. ⋯ Omalizumab resulted in a decrease in BP Disease Area Index activity score of 80.8 (95% confidence interval 71.8-89.8, P < .001). Also, omalizumab caused significant decline in IgE levels compared to baseline (1102.5 ± 834.5 vs 834.6 ± 613.6, P = .002). In this study, omalizumab treatment was an effective and safe option in BP patients with high baseline IgE levels who are refractory to or cannot tolerate other immunosuppressive therapies.
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Observational Study
Exploring depressive symptoms and coping strategies in Chinese women facing infertility: A cross-sectional observational study.
Infertility can lead to significant psychological distress among women, yet the roles of hope and resilience in mitigating depressive symptoms remain inadequately explored, particularly within the Chinese context. We performed a cross-sectional observational study to investigate the psychological impacts of infertility among Chinese women as well as to discern whether hope and resilience can influence their depressive symptoms. We recruited 364 Chinese women seeking infertility treatment in the Shandong region. ⋯ After controlling for the interaction of hope and resilience, we found that only depressive symptoms and resilience were negatively correlated. The psychological burden of infertility among Chinese women is widespread and affects many individuals from different demographic backgrounds. Interventions aimed at increasing resilience may be helpful to mitigate depressive symptoms.
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Case Reports
Oral health management in children with severe congenital neutropenia with periodontitis: Case report.
Severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) is a rare and heterogeneous genetic disease. By describing the diagnosis and treatment of a child with SCN and periodontitis, this case provides a reference for the oral health management of a child with SCN and periodontitis. ⋯ Once SCN is diagnosed, individualized treatment plans can be developed according to the characteristics of the disease and its impact on oral health, which can effectively control the interaction between SCN and periodontal disease and reduce the occurrence of serious infection.
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Observational Study
Evaluation of serum neopterin levels in severe COVID-19 patients: An observational study.
In patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a massive inflammatory response is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Inflammatory markers are prognostic indicators of disease severity and the ultimate clinical outcome. Several studies have demonstrated a correlation between serum levels of neopterin, which can be an immune system marker, disease severity, and poor outcomes in COVID-19 patients. ⋯ On the other hand, they were linked negatively to the lymphocyte/monocyte ratio. Our findings highlight the association between high neopterin levels and patients with severe COVID-19. Neopterin is correlated with traditional inflammatory biomarkers and may indicate general immune and inflammatory activation in patients with severe COVID-19.