简介:AbstractMonochorionic dizygotic twin gestation is clinically very uncommon but poses significant antenatal and postnatal complications. Here we review the diagnosis, mechanism, perinatal management, and pregnant outcomes of monochroic dizygotic twin gestation.
简介:AbstractBackground:Hasner valve incision has been recently introduced as a new treatment for ophthalmic patients with epiphora symptoms. The aim of this study was to examine whether surgical outcomes of Hasner valve incision for inferior nasolacrimal duct obstruction were different between pediatric and adult patients.Methods:A total of 53 eyes of 52 patients who underwent Hasner valve incision in the Beijing Tongren Hospital from October 2016 to November 2019 were retrospectively observed. Patients were divided into two groups, including pediatric group (23 eyes of 22 patients, <18 years old) and adult group (30 eyes of 30 patients, ≥18 years old). Success rate of surgery was determined by both subjective measure (complete resolution of epiphora) and objective measure (lacrimal passage irrigation and tear meniscus height). Fisher exact test was conducted.Results:By conducting Fisher exact test and comparing complete resolution of epiphora (P = 0.627), lacrimal passage irrigation (P = 0.663), measurement of Tear Meniscus Height (P = 0.561), and appearance of complication (P = 0.339), there was no statistically significant difference of surgical outcomes between pediatric and adult patients (P > 0.05).Conclusion:Hasner valve incision was effective for both adult and children with inferior nasolacrimal duct obstruction, with no difference in surgical outcomes between the two groups.
简介:AbstractAs the entire world is under the grip of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and as many are eagerly trying to explain the origins of the virus and cause of the pandemic, it is imperative to place more attention on related potential biosafety risks. Biology and biotechnology have changed dramatically during the last ten years or so. Their reliance on digitization, automation, and their cyber-overlaps have created new vulnerabilities for unintended consequences and potentials for intended exploitation that are mostly under-appreciated. This study summarizes and elaborates on these new cyberbiosecurity challenges, (1) in terms of comprehending the evolving threat landscape and determining new risk potentials, (2) in developing adequate safeguarding measures, their validation and implementation, and (3) specific critical risks and consequences, many of them unique to the life-sciences. Drawing other's expertise and my previous work, this article reviews and critically interprets our current bio-economy situation. The goal is not to attribute causative aspects of past biosafety or biosecurity events, but to highlight the fact that the bioeconomy harbors unique features that have to be more critically assessed for their potential to unintentionally cause harm to human health or environment, or to be re-tasked with an intention to cause harm. It is concluded with recommendations that will need to be considered to help ensure converging and emerging biorisk challenges, in order to minimize vulnerabilities to the life-science enterprise, public health, and national security.
简介:AbstractBackground:Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is associated with high neonatal morbidity and mortality. However, the influences of cesarean section (CS) on neonatal outcomes in preterm pregnancies complicated with PPROM are not well elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of delivery modes on neonatal outcomes among pregnant women with PPROM.Methods:A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in 39 public hospitals in 14 cities in the mainland of China from January 1st, 2011 to December 31st, 2011. A total of 2756 singleton pregnancies complicated with PPROM were included. Adverse neonatal outcomes including early neonatal death, birth asphyxia, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), pneumonia, infection, birth trauma, and 5-min/10-min Apgar scores were obtained from the hospital records. Binary variables and ordinal variables were respectively calculated by binary logistic regressions and ordinal regression. Numerical variables were compared by multiple linear regressions.Results:In total, 2756 newborns were involved in the analysis. Among them, 1166 newborns (42.31%) were delivered by CS and 1590 newborns belonged to vaginal delivery (VD) group. The CS proportion of PPROM obviously increased with the increase of gestational age (χ2 = 5.014, P = 0.025). Compared with CS group, VD was associated with a higher risk of total newborns mortality(odds ratio [OR], 2.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.102–5.118; P = 0.027), and a lower level of pneumonia (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.126–0.811; P = 0.016). However, after multivariable adjustment and stratification for gestational age, only pneumonia was significantly related with CS in 28 to 34 weeks group (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.120–0.940; P = 0.038). There were no differences regarding to other adverse outcomes in the two groups, including neonatal mortality, birth asphyxia, Apgar scores, RDS, pneumonia, and sepsis.Conclusions:The proportion of CS of pregnant women with PPROM was very high in China. The mode of delivery does not affect neonatal outcomes of pregnancies complicated with PPROM.
简介:AbstractPurpose:Tibial plateau fracture (TPF) is a devastating injury as it shatters lower articular surface of the largest joint. Apart from bony injury, TPF can lead to great soft tissue envelope compromise which affects the treatment plan and outcome. In the present study, clinical results were assessed in cases of high energy TPFs treated in staged manner.Methods:Twenty-three (20 males and 3 females) patients of high energy communited TPFs (Schatzker type V and VI) were consecutively treated.1 All the patient had compromise of overlying skin conditions. They were all successively scheduled for staged treatment plan which comprised of application of bridging knee external fixator on the first day of admission and definitive internal fixation after skin and soft tissue overlying the fracture were healed. Schatzker type I, II, III and IV were excluded from the study. Primary survey was done and patient who had head injury, chest and abdominal injury, pelvic injury and contralateral limb injury and open fractures were excluded from the study. The patients were also evaluated in terms of wound complications, axial and rotary alignment of limb, fixation failure, articular congruity and range of motion of the knees and post injury employment. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software.Results:Maximum follow-up period was 13 months. All the fractures were united at final follow-up. Clinical evaluation was done with the Tegner Lysholm knee scoring scale.2 Excellent results were found in 78% cases and good and fair results in 22% cases. There was significant correlation between range of motion and the Tegner Lysholm knee score (p < 0.001, Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.741). The correlation between the score and the radiographical union duration was significant (p = 0.006, Pearson correlation coefficient =-0.554).Conclusion:A staged treatment plan allows healing of soft tissue envelope, with avoidance of dreadful complications such as compartment syndrome and chronic infection. In addition, a staged treatment strategy does not hamper the fracture reduction, bony union and the functional results.
简介:摘要ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy on ankle flexor spasticity in stroke survivors and to reveal changes in the fibroelastic components of muscle.DesignRandomized controlled trial.SettingInpatient neuro-rehabilitation clinic of a university hospital.ParticipantsStroke patients with ankle flexor spasticity.InterventionsPatients were randomized to three groups; radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy, sham, or control. Active and sham therapy were administered two sessions/week for two weeks. All patients received conventional rehabilitation.Main measuresThe primary outcome was Modified Ashworth Scale. Secondary outcomes were the Tardieu Scale and elastic properties of plantar flexor muscles assessed by elastography (strain index). All assessments were performed before, immediately after the treatment, and four weeks later at follow-up.ResultsFifty-one participants were enrolled (active therapy n=17, sham n=17, control n=17). Modified Ashworth scores showed a significant decrease in the active therapy group (from 2.47±0.72 to 1.41±0.62) compared to sham (from 2.19±1.05 to 2.06±1.12) and control (from 2.06±0.85 to 2.00±0.73) groups immediately after the treatment (P<0.001). Tardieu results were also in concordance (P<0.001), however this effect was not preserved at follow-up. Elastic properties of the ankle flexors were improved in all groups at both assessments after the therapy showing significant decreases in strain index (P<0.001). However, there was no difference among the groups in terms of improvement in elastography.ConclusionRadial extracorporeal shock wave therapy has short-term anti-spastic effects on ankle flexor muscles when used as an adjunct to conventional rehabilitation.
简介:AbstractObjective:As exclusively endoscopic endonasal resection of benign orbital tumors has become more widespread, high-quality outcomes data are lacking regarding the decision of when and how to reconstruct the medial orbital wall following resection. The goal of this study was to systematically review pertinent literature to assess clinical outcomes relative to orbital reconstruction practices.Methods:Data Sources: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science. A systematic review of studies reporting exclusively endoscopic endonasal resections of benign orbital tumors was conducted. Articles not reporting orbital reconstruction details were excluded. Patient and tumor characteristics, operative details, and outcomes were recorded. Variables were compared using χ2, Fisher's exact, and independent t tests.Results:Of 60 patients included from 24 studies, 34 (56.7%) underwent orbital reconstruction following resection. The most common types of reconstruction were pedicled flaps (n = 15, 44.1%) and free mucosal grafts (n = 11, 32.4%). Rigid reconstruction was uncommon (n = 3, 8.8%). Performance of orbital reconstruction was associated with preoperative vision compromise (P < 0.01). The tendency to forego orbital reconstruction was associated with preoperative proptosis (P < 0.001), larger tumor size (P = 0.001), and operative exposure of orbital fat (P < 0.001) and extraocular muscle (P= 0.035). There were no statistically significant differences between the reconstruction and nonreconstruction groups in terms of short- or long-term outcomes when considering all patients. In patients with intraconal tumors, however, there was a higher rate of short-term postoperative diplopia when reconstruction was foregone (P = 0.041). This potential benefit of reconstruction did not persist: At an average of two years postoperatively, all patients for whom reconstruction was foregone either had improved or unchanged diplopia.Conclusion:Most outcomes assessed did not appear affected by orbital reconstruction status. This general equivalence may suggest that orbital reconstruction is not a necessity in these cases or that the decision to reconstruct was well-selected by surgeons in the reported cases included in this systematic review.
简介:AbstractPurpose:By comparing the outcomes of total hip arthroplasty with hemiarthroplasty in elderly patients with a femoral neck fracture to investigate the one-year mortality, dislocation, infection, reoperation rate, and thromboembolic event.Methods:The PubMed, EMBASE databases, and Cochrane library were systematically searched from the inception dates to April 1, 2020 for relevant randomized controlled trials in English language using the keywords: "total hip arthroplasty" , "hemiarthroplasty" and "femoral neck fracture" to identify systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Two reviewers independently selected articles, extracted data, assessed the quality evidence and risk bias of included trials using the Cochrane Collaboration’ stools, and discussed any disagreements. The third reviewer was consulted for any doubts or uncertainty. We derived risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Mortality was defined as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were other complications, dislocation, infection, reoperation rate, and thromboembolic event.Results:This meta-analysis included 10 studies with 1419 patients, which indicated that there were no significant differences between hemiarthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty in reoperation, infection rate, and thromboembolic event. However, there was a lower mortality and dislocation rate association with total hip arthroplasty at the one-year follow-up.Conclusion:Based on our results, we found that total hip arthroplasty was better than hemiarthroplasty for a hip fracture at one-year follow-up.
简介:AbstractBackground:It remains unclear whether the outcomes of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) during off-hours are as favorable as those treated during on-hours, especially those with a first medical contact-to-device (FMC-to-device) time within 90 min. We aimed to determine whether off-hours admission impacted late outcomes in patients undergoing PPCI and with an FMC-to-device time ≤90 min.Methods:This multicenter retrospective study included 670 STEMI patients who underwent successful PPCI and had an FMC-to-device time ≤90 min from 19 chest pain centers in Beijing from January 2018 to December 2018. Patients were divided into on-hours group and off-hours group based on their arrival time. Baseline characteristics, clinical data, and key time intervals during treatment were collected from the Quality Control & Improvement Center of Cardiovascular Intervention of Beijing by the "Heart and Brain Green Channel" app.Results:Overall, the median age of the patients was 58.8 years and 19.9% (133/670) were female. Of these, 296 (44.2%) patients underwent PPCI during on-hours and 374 (55.8%) patients underwent PPCI during off-hours. Compared with the on-hours group, the off-hours group had a longer FMC-to-device time and fewer patients with FMC-to-device time ≤60 min (P < 0.05). During the mean follow-up period of 24 months, a total of 64 (9.6%) participants experienced a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), with 28 (9.1%) in the on-hours group and 36 (9.6%) in the off-hours group (P > 0.05). According to the Cox regression analyses, off-hours admission was not a predictor of 2-year MACEs (P = 0.788). Similarly, the Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the risks of a MACE, all-cause death, reinfarction, and target vessel revascularization were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05).Conclusions:This real-world, multicenter retrospective study demonstrated that for STEMI patients who underwent PPCI within 90 min, off-hours admission was safe, with no difference in the risk of 2-year MACEs compared with those with on-hours admission.