Int J Med Sci
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Background: Prior studies have suggested a number of the subjective visual characteristics that help distinguish between spinal meningiomas and schwannomas on magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography; however, objective quantification of the signal intensity can be useful information. This study assessed whether quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal intensity (SI) measurements could distinguish intradural-extramedullary schwannomas from meningiomas. Methods: From July 2019 to September 2021, 54 patients with intradural-extramedullary tumors (37 meningiomas and 17 schwannomas) underwent surgery, and tumors were verified pathologically. ⋯ Results: Both Maximum (T2max) and mean (T2mean) T2W SI values demonstrated outstanding (AUC: 0.91) abilities to differentiate meningiomas from schwannomas with Se, Sp, PPV, and NPV values of 94.6%, 70.6%, 87.5%, and 85.7%, respectively, for T2max and 81.1%, 88.2%, 93.8%, and 68.2% for T2mean. The maximum SI value on contrast-enhanced T1W (T1CEmax) and the T2W tumor: fat SI ratio (rTF) demonstrated acceptable abilities (AUC: 0.73 and 0.79, respectively) to differentiate meningiomas from schwannomas with Se, Sp, PPV, and NPV values of 94.6%, 70.6%, 87.5%, and 85.7%, respectively, for T1CEmax and 81.1%, 88.2%, 93.8%, and 68.2% for rTF. Conclusions: Quantitative SI values (T2max, T2mean, T2min, T1CEmax, rTF) can be used to differentiate intradural-extramedullary schwannomas from meningiomas.
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This study aimed to investigate the influence of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for the development of dry eye disease (DED) in subjects with prostate cancer via the use of national health insurance research database (NHIRD) of Taiwan. A retrospective cohort study was conducted and patients were selected as prostate cancer with ADT according to diagnostic and procedure codes. Each participant in that group was then matched to one patient with prostate cancer but without ADT and two subject s without prostate cancer and ADT. ⋯ The rate of DED in the prostate cancer with ADT group (aHR: 0.980, 95% CI: 0.771-1.246, P= 0.8696) and Prostate cancer without ADT group (aHR: 1.064, 95% CI: 0.855-1.325, P= 0.5766) were not significantly different compared to the control group. In addition, the patients aged 70-79 years old demonstrated a significantly higher incidence of developing DED compared to those aged 50-59 years old (aHR: 1.885, 95% CI: 1.188-2.989, P= 0.0071). In conclusion, the use of ADT did not alter the incidence of subsequent DED.
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Introduction: Post-anaesthetic sore throat (PAST) is a well-recognized consequence of tracheal intubation; however, quantitative morphometric measurements remain challenging. This study aimed to introduce a special laser projection device that can facilitate computer-assisted, digitalized analysis and provide important information on laryngeal mucosa change, pre and post-surgery under general anesthesia with intubation. Materials and methods: The laryngeal images were captured and divided into the control group and the intubation group. ⋯ Conclusion: Our equipment and processing can measure subtle laryngeal changes that would allow a clinician to diagnose postoperative laryngeal inflammation in a simpler and less invasive way. The trend toward red, the increased contrast texture and vocal width, and the reduced glottic space were all compatible with post-intubation inflammatory response, especially in the interarytenoid region. This is important to know so that one can take appropriate steps to alleviate PAST in the future.
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Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous neoplasm characterized by variations in cytogenetics and molecular abnormalities, which result in variable response to therapy. Receptor-interacting serine/threonine kinase 1 (RIP1)-mediated necroptosis has been reported to have a potential role in the treatment of AML. We obtained Skp2 and RIP1 are significantly overexpressed in AML samples using original published data, and identified that Skp2-depletion in AML cells significantly suppressed RIP1. ⋯ Also, GSK3β inactivation via small-molecule inhibitor treatment remarkably decreased RIP1 level. RIP1 regulates differentiation by interacting with RARα, increasing RA signaling targets gene C/EBPα and C/EBPβ. In conclusion, our study provides a novel insight into the mechanism of tumorigenesis and the development of AML, for which the Skp2-Akt/GSK3β-RIP1 pathway can be developed as a promising therapeutic target.
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Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease are common comorbidities and dangerous factors for infection and serious COVID-19. Polymorphisms in genes associated with comorbidities may help observe susceptibility and disease severity variation. However, specific genetic factors and the extent to which they can explain variation in susceptibility of severity are unclear. ⋯ The key genes IL6 and AGT are involved in regulating immune response, cytokine activity, and viral infection. Therefore, RAAS inhibitors, AGT antisense nucleotides, cytokine inhibitors, vitamin D, fenofibrate, and vaccines regulating non-immune and immune factors could be potential strategies to prevent and cure COVID-19. The study provides a basis for further investigation of genes and pathways with predictive value for the risk of infection and prognosis and could help guide drug and vaccine development to improve treatment efficacy and the development of personalised treatments, especially for COVID-19 individuals with common comorbidities.