Rev Invest Clin
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Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a fatal complication in patients with connective tissue disease (CTD). ⋯ Patients with a partial response to the acute pulmonary vasodilator test with inhaled iloprost had a longer clinical deterioration-free period than non-responders.
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In colorectal cancer (CRC), regional lymphadenectomy provides prognostic information and guides management. The current consensus states that at least 12 lymph nodes (LN) should be evaluated. The aims of this study were to identify whether the number of LN is a predictor for survival and recurrence, and to reveal the role of LN ratio (LNR) and perineural invasion (PNI) in predicting prognosis after curative resection of CRC. ⋯ An LN retrieval < 10 increased local and distant recurrence rates. LNR was an independent prognostic factor for survival in Stage III tumors. PNI was the only significant independent prognostic factor affecting disease-free survival in our patients.
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The use of single-photon emission computed tomography and positron emission tomography (PET) has proven to be helpful in differentiating Parkinson's disease (PD) from other movement disorders with a sensitivity of up to 95%. ⋯ The [11C]DTBZ PET has an excellent accuracy for differentiating idiopathic PD from other disorders.
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In subjects without a history of coronary heart disease (CHD), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with carotid artery plaques (CAP), which is a better marker than high carotid intima-media thickness (hCIMT) for predicting first or recurrent cardiovascular events. ⋯ T2DM has an independent association with CAP. Early detection of recurrent cardiovascular events, with CAP identification, could be useful to prevent complications in patients with CHD.
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Review Meta Analysis
The Role of Stents as Bridge to Surgery for Acute Left-Sided Obstructive Colorectal Cancer: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
The role of self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) as a bridge to surgery for acute left-sided obstructive colorectal cancer has remained controversial. ⋯ We selected 8 RCTs articles, which included 497 cases. The directly stoma rates were significantly lower in the stent group (odds ratio [OR] = 0.46, 95% confidence intervals [CIs] = 0.30-0.70, p = 0.0003). The successful primary anastomosis rates were significantly higher in the stent group (OR = 2.29, 95% CIs = 1.52-3.45, p < 0.0001). The post-procedural complication rates were significantly lower in the stent group (OR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.18-0.82, p = 0.01). However, tumor recurrence rates were significantly higher in the stent group (OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.09-2.93, p = 0.02). Conclusions This meta-analysis confirms that SEMS placement could reduce direct stoma rate and increases the successful primary anastomosis rate; however, it was associated with a seemingly higher incidence of tumor recurrence.