Medicine
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The association between use of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) with cognitive impairment in atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unknown. ⋯ CRD42018103849.
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Thrombocytopenia caused by linezolid (LZD) is common, with a reported prevalence as high as 11.8%. Platelets typically reach normal levels 7 days after LZD withdrawal. However, recurrent profound thrombocytopenia due to LZD usage and a persistent profound drop in platelet count after LZD withdrawal have not been reported. ⋯ Recurrent profound thrombocytopenia can happen after several doses of LZD rechallenging. Therefore, reuse of LZD should be avoided after recovery from severe thrombocytopenia due to LZD.
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Multicenter Study
Optimization of regional median equations of prenatal screening markers for trisomy 21 in a Chinese population.
To establish gestational age-specific and body weight-specific mid-trimester normal median equations for the prenatal serum markers α-fetoprotein (AFP), free β subunit human chorionic gonadotropin (fβHCG), and unconjugated oestriol (uE3) for a Chinese population; to compare and replace the median equations built in LifeCycle software; to evaluate the effect of equations used for gestation correction on estimating risk in Down's syndrome, Edward's syndrome, and neural tube defect (NTD). A total of 353,065 cases of prenatal screening data of pregnant women were screened by 13 prenatal screening institutions in China. The local median equations of each institution and the large data were fitted by the least square regression, and then the difference was compared between large data equations and local median equations. ⋯ There is no significant difference between the local median equations of each institution and the large sample median equations, which are various from LifeCycle built-in median equations. Besides, the determination coefficient of localized median equations are >0.99. 97.0% MoM medians obtained by using local median equations are consistent with latest standard of DQASS. The median established by large sample data represents the median level of a Chinese population, and can be used to replace the software built-in median equations to achieve better screening results.
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Comparative Study
Peritoneal dialysis in older adults: Evaluation of clinical, nutritional, metabolic outcomes, and quality of life.
The number of older adults requiring dialysis is increasing worldwide, whereas the use of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in this population is lower with respect to younger patients, despite the theoretical advantages of PD respect to hemodialysis. This is most likely due to the concern that older patients may not be able to correctly and safely manage PD. We aimed to prospectively compare clinical, nutritional and metabolic outcomes and measures of quality of life between younger (<65 years old) and older (≥65 years old) patients on PD. ⋯ At T1 Group B showed, compared to baseline, a significant reduction in albumin (P < .0001) and phosphorus (P = .045) levels, while no significant differences on body composition, technique survival, total number of hospitalizations, index of peritonitis, and quality of life indices were observed. Our data do not show clinically relevant barriers to use PD in older adult patients, supporting its use in this population. Nutritional and metabolic parameters should be carefully monitored in older PD patients.
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Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and a coexisting left brachiocephalic artery originating from the descending aorta is an extremely rare anomaly of unknown etiology. ⋯ PDA coexisting with left brachiocephalic artery originating from the descending aorta is a very rare anomaly. When this variety of PDA is closed, it is important to avoid affecting the blood flow in the left brachiocephalic trunk. For this reason, closure on the side of the pulmonary artery may be the best solution.