Plos One
-
Comparative Study
The effectiveness of intensity-modulated radiation therapy versus 2D-RT for the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
At present, the management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is mainly based on radiotherapy, but there are many radiation delivery techniques such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and 2-dimensional radiotherapy (2D-RT). ⋯ The meta-analysis demonstrates that IMRT provides improved long-term tumor overall survival and local control including LRFS and PFS. Additionally, IMRT yields a lower incidence of late toxicities induced by irradiation in NPC patients. Compared to 2D-RT, IMRT may be an effective treatment for patients with NPC. Further intensive studies should be pursued to examine the association.
-
Dipeptidyl amino-peptidase 3 (DPP3) is an aminopeptidase involved in peptide degradation, including hormone peptides as angiotensin II and enkephalins. DPP3 plasma activity increases in septic patients and correlates with mortality risk. However, the exact physiological role of DPP3 remains unclear and animal studies are necessary to reveal the function of DPP3 in vivo. ⋯ Additionally, protein stability and storage in relevant buffers were tested. Our results provide a promising strategy for fast and efficient isolation of human DPP3. The purified human DPP3 represents the native state of DPP3, suitable for future in vivo applications to investigate the physiological role of DPP3 and its involvement in pathophysiological conditions.
-
Assault is the third most common cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI), after falls and road traffic collisions. TBI can lead to multiple long-term physical, cognitive and emotional sequelae, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Intentional violence may further compound the psychological trauma of the event, in a way that conventional outcome measures, like the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), fail to capture. This study aims to examine the influence of assault on self-reported outcomes, including quality of life and symptoms of PTSD. ⋯ Quality of life is significantly related to functional and psychological outcomes after TBI. Assaulted patients suffer from worse self-reported outcomes than other patients, but these differences were insignificant when adjusted for demographic factors. Intentionality behind the traumatic event is likely more important than cause alone. Differences in quality of life and other self-reported outcomes are not reflected by the Glasgow Outcome Scale. This information is useful in arranging earlier and targeted review and support.
-
Videolaryngoscopy (VL) as a new airway management technique has evolved in recent decades, and a large number of videolaryngoscopes are now available on the market. Most recent major guidelines already recommend the immediate availability and use of VL in difficult airway management scenarios. However, national data on the availability of VL, introduction into practice and patterns of use are rarely published. Therefore, the current study aimed to provide data on VL in Hungary. ⋯ Approximately two-thirds of Hungarian anesthesiologists have immediate access to videolaryngoscopes, which are used mainly for difficult airway management. The overall attitude towards VL is positive, and many videolaryngoscopes are known and have been used by Hungarian anesthesiologists. However, only a few devices on the market are used commonly. Based on the results, further improvement might be recommended regarding VL training and availability.
-
Observational Study
Trends, characteristics, in-hospital outcomes and mortality in surgical mitral valve replacement among patients with and without COPD in Spain (2001-2015).
We examined trends, characteristics and in-hospital outcomes in mechanical and bioprosthetic surgical mitral valve replacement (SMVR) among patients with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Spain from 2001 to 2015. We also identified factors associated with in-hospital mortality (IHM) in both groups of patients according to the implanted valve type. ⋯ The incidence of mechanical SMVR decreased while that of bioprosthetic SMVR increased over time in both groups of patients. COPD patients were less surgically operated than non-COPD patients for both valve types. In COPD patients, bioprosthetic SMVR was proportionally more used than mechanical SMVR. Mortality decreased over time for both valve types in patients with and without COPD. COPD increased in-hospital mortality among patients undergoing a biological SMVR.