Medicine
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Structural abnormalities in schizophrenia (SZ) patients have been well documented with structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and region of interest (ROI) analyses. However, these analyses can only detect group-wise differences and thus, have a poor predictive value for individuals. In the present study, we applied a machine learning method that combined support vector machine (SVM) with recursive feature elimination (RFE) to discriminate SZ patients from normal controls (NCs) using their structural MRI data. ⋯ We found that SZ patients showed GM and WM abnormalities in several brain structures primarily involved in the emotion, memory, and visual systems. An SVM with a RFE classifier using the significant structural abnormalities identified by the VBM analysis as input features achieved the best performance (an accuracy of 88.4%, a sensitivity of 91.9%, and a specificity of 84.4%) in the discriminative analyses of SZ patients. These results suggested that distinct neuroanatomical profiles associated with SZ patients might provide a potential biomarker for disease diagnosis, and machine-learning methods can reveal neurobiological mechanisms in psychiatric diseases.
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Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Outcomes of thoracoscopy versus thoracotomy for esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula repair: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis.
A thoracoscopic approach for repair of esophageal atresia (EA) with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) has become a standard procedure in many pediatric surgical centers. However, whether thoracotomy or thoracoscopy offer advantages in terms of surgical outcomes is not known. ⋯ TR and COR show a similar complication rates of leaks and strictures for EA/TEF repair. Although associated with a longer operative time, TR has the advantages of an earlier time to extubation and 1st oral feeding, and shorter hospital stay.
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Review Meta Analysis
Treatment efficacy of anti-hypertensive drugs in monotherapy or combination: ATOM systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials according to PRISMA statement.
The relative efficacy of antihypertensive drugs/combinations is not well known. Identifying the most effective ones and the patients' characteristics associated with best performance of the drugs will improve management of hypertensive patients. ⋯ Certain drug combinations achieve BP reductions ranging from 20 to 25/10 to 15 mm Hg. Sex, ethnicity, and obesity are associated with antihypertensive response. This information can contribute to better selection of the antihypertensive drug, depending on the magnitude of pretreatment BP elevation. Guidelines should be revised.
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Because allogeneic blood transfusion carries a risk of serious complications, erythropoietin (EPO) has been used in patients scheduled for total hip or knee arthroplasty in an effort to reduce the need for allogeneic blood transfusion; however, its efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and safety are still controversial. The purpose of this review was to determine the hematopoiesis-promoting effect and potential complications, as well as the cost-effectiveness, of preoperative use of EPO in patients scheduled for total hip or knee arthroplasty. ⋯ Preoperative administration of EPO reduces the requirement for allogeneic blood transfusion and increases hemoglobin level after surgery. The studies of cost-effectiveness were not conclusive. Further studies and guidelines specific to blood management in the perioperative stage of total knee and hip arthroplasty are expected.
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Review Meta Analysis
Expression profile of SIX family members correlates with clinic-pathological features and prognosis of breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Sineoculis homeobox homolog (SIX) family proteins, including SIX1, SIX2, SIX3, SIX4, SIX5, and SIX6, have been implicated in the initiation and progression of breast cancer, but the role of each member in breast tumor is not fully understood. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association between the mRNA levels of all 6 members and clinic-pathological characteristics and clinical outcome of breast cancer patients based on the PRISMA statement criteria. ArrayExpress and Oncomine were searched for eligible databases published up to December 10, 2015. ⋯ However, high SIX3 mRNA level was a protective factor for OS and RFS of basal-like breast cancer patients. Our study suggested that members of SIX family played distinct roles in breast cancer. Detailed analysis of the expression of the SIX family members might provide useful information to predict breast cancer progression and prognosis.