Medicine
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The increasing popularity of medical tourism has sparked interest from policymakers, researchers, and the media. Factors influencing medical tourism include service quality, availability, economics, and cultural differences. This study aims to analyze the key factors that influence destination selection for medical tourists. ⋯ Engaging in direct conversations with physicians regarding personal matters has proven to be more effective than depending on the translator. WOM referrals are critical components of the medical tourism industry. The results indicate that WOM referrals play an essential role in conveying patients' experiences, leading to increased revenue and a stronger reputation in the industry.
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Observational Study
Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding: Analysis of 462 hospitalized Chinese patients in Shanghai.
While acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB) remains clinically critical, the etiology of bleeding and risk factors for mortality remain uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the underlying causes of AUGIB and identify risk factors associated with fatality. A retrospective survey was conducted in a major clinical hospital in Shanghai, where inpatients diagnosed with AUGIB were meticulously collected and analyzed. ⋯ Peptic ulcers remained the primary cause of AUGIB. Old age, low hemoglobin levels, and comorbidities were the main risk factors contributing to mortality; nearly half of the patients died from malignant tumors. Hemorrhagic shock was independently associated with a high risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with cirrhotic hemorrhage.
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Previous studies have suggested an association between autoimmune diseases (AIDs) and the risk of prostate cancer (PCa). However, the causal relationship between AID and PCa remained unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the causal association between 3 common AIDs, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and the risk of PCa. ⋯ In the reverse MR analysis, we did not find any significant inverse causal associations between PCa and the 3 autoimmune diseases. Our study suggested that genetically predicted RA was likely causally associated with an increased risk of PCa, while there is no significant causal relationship between SLE or AS and PCa. These findings provided new insights into the relationship between autoimmune diseases and PCa and might inform future research and clinical practice.
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Current research on antiviral treatment in children is relatively limited, especially in children under 1 year old. ⋯ Chronic hepatitis B virus-infected infants and young children can achieve durable functional cure with PEG IFNα-based individualized therapy. This case provides a valuable reference for the diagnosis and treatment of such patients.
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This study aimed to evaluate the causal effects of different immune cells on heart failure (HF) using Mendelian randomization (MR). Datasets for immune cell phenotypes and HF were obtained from European Bioinformatics Institute and FinnGen. Then, single nucleotide polymorphisms were screened according to the basic assumptions of MR. ⋯ Cochran Q and sensitivity analyses showed that the results had no heterogeneity and were robust. This MR analysis revealed 10 immune cell phenotypes associated with increased genetic susceptibility to HF. These findings provide new directions for understanding the pathogenesis of HF and developing novel therapies.