Medicine
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We conducted a retrospective study to compare the clinical and radiological results of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and posterior laminoplasty for two-level localized ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). ACDF and posterior laminoplasty are performed for localized OPLL at the disc and vertebral body levels, respectively. Eighty six patients with two-level localized OPLL who underwent surgery from January 2011 to December 2016 were retrospectively investigated (41, ACDF group; 45, laminoplasty group). ⋯ Complications occurred in 1 ACDF case and in 5 laminoplasty cases. Both ACDF and laminoplasty provided satisfactory clinical and radiologic outcomes for two-level localized OPLL. However, ACDF was associated with a lower operation time, bleeding loss, duration of hospitalization, and complications.
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This study aimed to assess the prevalence and occult rates of uterine leiomyosarcoma (ULMS) in women with smooth-muscle tumors undergoing gynecological surgery. A retrospective study was performed at an academic cancer center from 2008 to 2015. Patients undergoing either hysterectomy or myomectomy via laparoscopic, abdominal, vaginal, and hysteroscopic approaches were identified with the validated pathology diagnosis of either ULMS or leiomyomas. ⋯ The prevalence of ULMS was 0.41% and 0.16% for solitary and multiple tumor masses, respectively. Patients with solitary uterine tumors were at a significantly increased risk of ULMS (OR = 2.601, 95% CI = 1.108-6.141). Our retrospective data in part reflects the clinical characteristics of overall and occult ULMS and forms the basis for further prevention of occult ULMS.
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Apatinib is a novel anti-angiogenic agent that targets vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, and is effective in patients with advanced lung cancer who are refractory to first-line chemotherapy. However, there are limited reports on concurrent apatinib therapy with iodine-125 radioactive seeds brachytherapy in elderly patients with advanced lung cancer. ⋯ Apatinib alone may be a good second-line therapy for advanced lung cancer patients who are refractory to platinum-based doublet chemotherapy. However, its potential benefits, especially as combination therapy, need further investigation by future prospective clinical studies. Elderly patients with advanced lung cancer may benefit from concurrent apatinib with iodine-125 radioactive seeds brachytherapy when chemotherapy is not tolerated or effective. Further studies are needed to investigate the clinical outcomes and toxicities associated with concurrent apatinib and radiation therapy in patients with advanced lung cancer.
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Case Reports
First neonates with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in Romania: Three case reports.
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, which quickly spread throughout the world, has been putting medical workers all over the world in difficulty because of the high number of cases combined with the lack of information about the disease. Although pediatric cases are rare, the group age under 12 months has been in general more susceptible to develop severe forms of the disease compared with the patients in the age interval of 1 to 18 years. ⋯ Even if there are only a few reported cases of neonates infected with COVID-19 and most of them present mild manifestations, newborns need a more careful insight because of the nonspecific symptomatology.
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Observational Study
Nutritional assessments in pregnancy and the risk of postpartum depression in Chinese women: A case-control study.
Prevalence of postpartum depression (PD) in Chinese women is rising and its associated factors are not well known. In this study we aim to explore the associations between nutritional factors in pregnancy and the risk of PD in Chinese women. A case-control study was performed in our hospital during January 2016 to June 2019. ⋯ With respect to uric acid, there was lack of no statistical association (OR = 2.23, 95%CI = 0.82-6.26). Food frequency questionnaire indicated a higher meat intake, but a lower vegetable, fruit, fish, and poultry intake in patients with PD during pregnancy. Increased GLU, TC, TG, and LDL, but decreased HDL in later stages of pregnancy might be associated with PD.