Medicine
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Observational Study
Infected tibia defect fractures treated with the Masquelet technique.
The treatment after open and infected fractures with extensive soft tissue damage and bone deficit remains a challenging clinical problem. The technique described by Masquelet, using a temporary cement spacer to induce a membrane combined with reconstructive soft tissue coverage, is a possible solution. This study describes the work-up, operative procedure, complications, and the outcome of a homogenous group of patients with an open and infected tibia fracture and segmental bone loss treated with the Masquelet technique (MT). ⋯ The lower limb functional index was a median of 60% (32-92%). Seven out of 8 patients treated in this group of severe open and infected tibia fractures did both clinically and radiologically heal. Due to the massive destruction of the soft tissue, patients needed several reoperations with soft tissue debridements and reconstruction before the spacer and the bone graft could be implanted.
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Observational Study
Prognostic impact of C-reactive protein/albumin ratio on the overall survival of patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancers receiving palliative chemotherapy.
Recent studies have indicated that the C-reactive protein (CRP)/albumin (CRP/Alb) ratio is associated with clinical outcomes in patients with various carcinomas. However, no studies have explored the association between the ratio of CRP/Alb and clinical outcome of inoperable patients with nonsmall cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). We examined the prognostic impact of CRP/Alb ratio on 165 stage IV NSCLC receiving palliative chemotherapy. ⋯ Subgroup analysis revealed that the CRP/Alb ratio had a significant (P = .001) prognostic impact on adenocarcinoma patients receiving platinum chemotherapy. Elevated CRP/Alb ratio was significantly associated with male gender (P = .002) and smoking history (P = .009). The results of this study suggest that the CRP/Alb ratio might be used as a simple, inexpensive, and independent prognostic factor for OS of patients with advanced lung adenocarcinomas receiving platinum chemotherapy.
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Observational Study
Trends in diagnosis of painful neck and back conditions, 2002 to 2011.
Neck and back pain are pervasive problems. Some have suggested that rising incidence may be associated with the evidence of rising prevalence. To describe the trends in diagnosis of painful neck and back conditions in a large national healthcare system. ⋯ In a national population, the prevalence rate for diagnosis of neck and back pain grew 1.8 to 2.3 times faster than the incidence rate. This suggests that the average duration of episodes of care is increasing. Additional research is needed to understand the influences on the differential rate of change and to develop efficient and effective care systems.
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This study aimed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), dose-limiting toxicity, and efficacy of second-line chemotherapy with FOLFIRINOX after gemcitabine (GEM)-based chemotherapy failure in metastatic pancreatic cancer (MPC). ⋯ The recommended dose was 85 mg/m oxaliplatin, 100 mg/m irinotecan, and 400 mg/m leucovorin, followed by 400 mg/m 5-FU as a bolus on day 1 and 2400 mg/m 5-FU as a 46-hour continuous infusion. These results indicate that second-line FOLFIRINOX is a marginally effective treatment for GEM-based chemotherapy failure cases.
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Observational Study
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin, IL-33, and periostin in hospitalized infants with viral bronchiolitis.
Much attention has recently been focused on thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), IL-33, and periostin in allergic disease, but less is known about their role in viral bronchiolitis. The aim of the study was to investigate whether infants exhibit enhanced nasal airway secretion of TSLP, IL-33, and periostin during natural respiratory viral bronchiolitis compared to healthy controls. In total, 213 infants < 2 years of age, hospitalized with bronchiolitis from October/2013 to April/2016 were enrolled alongside 45 healthy infants. ⋯ Infants with hospital stay ≥5 days were more likely to have detectable levels of nasal TSLP and periostin after adjusting by age (P = .01). Bronchiolitis by common respiratory viruses is associated with elevated nasal levels of TSLP, IL-33, and periostin, factors known to be important in the development of Th2-response. Respiratory viruses in early life might shift immune responses toward Th2, involving asthma, and allergic diseases.