Medicine
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Case Reports
A repeated carpal tunnel syndrome due to tophaceous gout in flexor tendon: A case report.
Gouty tophi is a rare cause of CTS. We first report a unique case of repeated CTS with gouty tophi in flexor tendon. In the previous literature, the symptoms cases of CTS were gradually increased. ⋯ Early diagnosis and control of gout are necessary to avoid irreversible complications. The surgery combined with decreasing trioxypurine treatment can improve the treatment outcome of gouty tophus.
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Observational Study
Influence of polymorphisms in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway genes on hepatocellular carcinoma risk in a Chinese Han population.
The Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays a vital role in initiating and sustaining hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, few studies have investigated polymorphisms in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway genes in the Chinese Han population. The aim of the present retrospective study was to investigate the correlations between polymorphisms of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway genes (CTNNB1 and WNT2) and HCC susceptibility, development, and progression. ⋯ Multidimensionality reduction analysis revealed that interactions among rs3864004, rs11564475, and rs4730775 were significantly associated with HCC compared with N-HCC patients. The polymorphism rs4135385 of CTNNB1 genotype GA was associated with a higher risk for Stage III + IV HCC (modified Union for International Cancer Control) (P = 0.001, OR = 2.238). Genetic polymorphisms in the WNT2 and CTNNB1 genes were closely associated with HCC risk and progression in a Chinese Han population.
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Observational Study
Effects of cannabis use and subclinical depression on the P3 event-related potential in an emotion processing task.
The effects of residual cannabis use on emotional expression recognition and the P3 event-related potential in participants who scored highly for subclinical depression were investigated. Comparisons were made between participants who were classified as depressed or nondepressed cannabis users, depressed non-cannabis users and controls who neither used cannabis nor were characterized as being depressed. In an emotional expression recognition task, participants were asked to respond to faces depicting happy, angry, fearful, and neutral faces either implicitly, explicitly, or empathically. ⋯ Residual cannabis use further reduced the P3 amplitude with the greatest deficits being associated with cannabis users who scored highly for subclinical depression. These effects were greatest for explicit and empathic processing of faces depicting negative emotions. We conclude from our study that cannabis and mood state interact to reduce the amplitude of the P3 which has been associated with attention to emotion.
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Observational Study
No association between metformin use and survival in patients with pancreatic cancer: An observational cohort study.
Several studies have suggested an association between use of metformin and an increased overall survival in patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, however with several important methodological limitations. The aim of the study was to assess the association between overall survival, pancreatic cancer, and metformin use. A retrospective cohort study of 1111 patients with pancreatic cancer was conducted using data from The Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organization (1998-2011). ⋯ No association was found between overall survival, pancreatic cancer, and metformin use. This was in concordance with 2 recently published randomized controlled trials. Future research should focus on the use of adjuvant metformin in other cancer types and the development or repurposing of other drugs for pancreatic cancer.
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Observational Study
Comparative study of the transcatheter and transthoracic device closure treatments for atrial septal defect: A Chinese single-institution experience.
The purpose of this study was to compare patient populations, safety, feasibility, complications, and total costs of the transcatheter and transthoracic device closure treatments for secundum atrial septal defect. From January 2014 to December 2014, we enrolled 155 patients with secundum atrial septal defects in our hospital. The patients were divided into 2 groups: the 70 patients in group A underwent transcatheter device closure, and the 85 patients in group B underwent transthoracic intraoperative device closure with a right lateral mini-thoracotomy. ⋯ Both of the device closure treatment options for secundum atrial septal defect are safe and feasible. The transcatheter device closure approach has the advantages of more cosmetic results, less trauma, and a shorter hospital stay than the transthoracic approach. On the contrary, the transthoracic closure device is an economical alternative choice, particularly for patients who are not eligible for the transcatheter closure device.