Background
The prevalence of cervical central lymph-node metastasis (CLNM) is high in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). There is considerable controversy surrounding the benefits of ...prophylactic central lymph-node dissection (pCLND) in patients with clinically negative central compartment lymph nodes (cN0). Therefore, it is crucial to accurately predict the likelihood of cervical CLNM before surgery to make informed surgical decisions.
Methods
Date from 214 PTC patients (cN0) who underwent partial or total thyroidectomy and pCLND at the Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital were collected and retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into two groups in accordance with cervical CLNM or not. Their information, including clinical characteristics, ultrasound (US) features, pathological results of fine-needle aspirations biopsy (FNAB), and other characteristics of the groups, was analyzed and compared using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.
Results
A total of 214 patients were eligible in this study. Among them, 43.5% (93/214) of PTC patients had cervical CLNM, and 56.5% (121/214) did not. The two groups were compared using a univariate analyses, and there were no significant differences between the two groups in aspect ratio, boundary, morphology, component, and BRAF
V600E
(
P >
0.05), and there were significant differences between gender, age, maximum tumor size, tumor location, capsule contact, microcalcifications, color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI), and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) (
P <
0.05). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to further clarify the correlation of these indices. However, only age (OR = 2.455,
P =
0.009), maximum tumor size (OR = 2.586,
P =
0.010), capsule contact (OR = 3.208,
P =
0.001), and CDFI (OR = 2.225,
P =
0.022) were independent predictors of cervical CLNM. Combining these four factors, the area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the joint diagnosis is 0.8160 (95% 0.7596–0.8725). Univariate analysis indicated that capsule contact (
P
= 0.001) was a possible predictive factor of BRAF
V600E
mutation.
Conclusions
In conclusion, four independent predictors of cervical CLNM, including age < 45 years, tumor size > 1.0 cm, capsule contact, and rich blood flow, were screened out. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment of these risk factors should be conducted when designing individualized treatment regimens for PTC patients.
To investigate the efficacy profile of entecavir capsule (ETV) as a chronic hepatitis B therapy, as compared to lamivudine (LAM).
In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel group ...evaluation of ETV, 232 subjects were administered a 96-week course of 0.5 mg/day ETV or 100 mg/day LAM. PCR measurement of hepatitis B virus (HBV) was conducted throughout the treatment course to determine achievement of complete virologic response (CVR; defined as less than 500 copies/ml of HBV DNA) or experience of virology rebound ( more than 500 copies/ml of HBV DNA after achievement of CVR).
After week-48 of treatment, the ETV group showed a higher CVR rate (90.3% vs. LAM: 59.4%) and lower virology rebound rate (1.9% vs. LAM: 13.9%). After week-96 of treatment, the ETV group continued to have a higher CVR rate (86.0% vs. LAM: 71.4%), and virology rebound was experienced by significantly less subjects in the ETV group (1.2% vs. LAM: 11.9%, P = 0.005).
ETV therapy can quickly and continuously suppress HBV replication
Background
This report aims to describe a paranasal flap technique for reconstruction of lower eyelid retraction and ectropion.
Methods
After the contracture of the lower eyelid skin or conjunctiva ...had been thoroughly released, the ipsilateral upper pedicle paranasal flap was designed according to the size of the lower eyelid skin wound. After dissection of the flap, the subcutaneous tissue of the flap was trimmed according to the depth of the wound, the flap was rotated to cover the defect, and an anchor was fixed to the distal aspect of the outer canthus. The secondary defect of the donor area was sutured directly.
Results
In this study, 67 patients with lower eyelid defects resulting from correction of eyelid retraction and ectropion were reconstructed using paranasal flaps between April 2004 and October 2009. The sizes of the paranasal flaps ranged from 0.6 × 2.2 to 1.5 × 3.5 cm. At the follow-up assessment, the patients could close their eyes easily and completely without lagophthalmos, and neither the upper lips or the nasal ala showed any anatomic deformities. The features of the paranasal flaps, such as skin color, texture, and contour of the repaired tissue, were a good match with the surrounding skin. The suture lines of the donor areas were sheltered well.
Conclusions
Paranasal flaps were used for effective reconstruction of lower eyelid retraction or ectropion, with achievement of good eyelid function and a good color, contour, and texture match with the surrounding skin. Overall, the functional and cosmetic results were satisfactory.
Level of Evidence V
This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors at
www.springer.com/00266
.
To improve the sensitivity, a CuO nanoparticle doped in molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) film for the determination of phenobarbital was prepared by using methacrylic acid as functional monomers, ...ethylene glycol maleic rosinate acrylate as a cross linking agent by thermal polymerization method. The electrochemical properties of the nano-doped sensor were investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and chronoamperometry (CA). The chemical structures and morphologies of the imprinted films were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that the sensors response value of peak current showed a linear dependence on the phenobarbital concentration in the ranges of 1.2 x 10 super(-7) -1.5 x 10 super(-4) mol/L of phenobarbital. (Linear regression coefficient = 0.9984) with the detection limit (S/N = 3) of 8.2 x 10 super(-9) mmol/L. The prepared sensor was successfully applied to the determination of phenobarbital in practical samples with recovery ranging from 96.5% to 103.0%.
EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) materials have the features of super light, water resistance, anti-ageing, corrosion resistance and well supporting itself .They are now widely used in civil engineering ...because of their unique features for its unique characteristics. This paper introduces the properties of EPS and the application of EPS in the road and bridge engineering. The correlation analysis showed that The pressure on the foundation can be greatly reduced by the EPS filling embankment in soft foundation, and the settlement and displacement of the EPS embankment are small and its stability is good. The application of EPS in the embankment of a bridge can solve the bumping problems due to differential settlements of road and bridge. EPSs application can reduce differential settlement in the embankment splicing and strengthen intensity in the embankment splicing, which making the new and old expressway as a union in the road-widening project.
Bioartificial liver and hepatocyte transplantation is anticipated to supply a temporary metabolic support for candidates of liver transplantation or for patients with fulminant liver failure. An ...essential restriction of this form is the inability to acquire an enough amount of hepatocytes. Enhancement of the proliferation and differentiated function of hepatocytes is becoming a pursued target. Here, porcine hepatocytes were successfully immobilized on nano-sized gold colloid particles to construct a ‘‘hepatocyte/gold colloid” interface at which hepatocytes can be quickly proliferated. The properties of this resulting interface were characterized and confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The proliferative mechanism of hepatocytes was also discussed. The poliferated hepatocytes could be applied to the clinic based on their excellent functions for the synthesis of protein, glucose and urea as well as lower lactate dehydrogenase release.
Hollow poly(m-phenylenediamine) (PmPD) microparticles were successfully synthesised with chemically oxidative polymerisation through rapidly mixing the persulphate oxidant solution with ...m-phenylenediamine solution at room temperature. In a further experiment, Na^sub 2^CO^sub 3^ was used to create a CO2 bubble to facilitate the formation of hollow PmPD microparticles. The morphology and molecular structure of the products were characterised with scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy. The results showed that, the PmPD possesses a mouth-like cave when synthesised without Na^sub 2^CO^sub 3^. More interestingly, using Na^sub 2^CO^sub 3^, the cave number and shape of PmPD microparticles change. The PmPD synthesised with or without Na^sub 2^CO^sub 3^ has similar functional groups but different oxidation state.
To investigate the effect and mechanism of salvianolic acid B (SA-B) on renal interstitial fibrosis in rats induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO).
18 male SD rats were randomly divided ...into 3 groups, 6 in each group. After the models were established, the rats were treated with SA-B for 2 weeks. Then their renal pathology were examined by hight microscope and electron microscopy Protein expression levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and E-cadherin (E-cad) in the obstructed kidney were analyzed by Western blot and Biochemistry assay.
Pathological examination of the kidney in model group showed tubules lumen widened and many inflammatory cells infiltrated, a part of renal tubule expanded and part of them atrophied. The tubular epithelial cells were karyorrhexis or karyolysis, some tubulars were atrophy. The protein expression of alpha-SMA were significantly up-regulated (P < 0.01) and E-cad were significantly down-regulated (P < 0.01) in the model group. After intervention with SA-B, the
To observe effect of acupuncture on hemiplegia spasticity of the patient with stroke and to probe an effective acupuncture method for treatment of the hemiplegia spasticity.
Ninety-six cases of ...hemiplegia spasticity were randomly divided into a common acupuncture group, and a balance yin-yang acupuncture group. All the patients were treated with routine medicine and rehabilitation training. In the common acupuncture group, traditional acupoint selection method was used with the acupoints on the yang channels such as Jianyu (LI 15), Quchi (LI 11), Shousanli (LI 10) selected; in the balance yin-yang acupuncture group, the acupoints on the yin channels and the yang channels were combined, with Jiquan (HT 1), Chize (LU 5), Shaohai (HT 3) etc. selected, according to the TCM theory of yin for chronic and yang for acute and imbalance of muscular tension between the extensor and flesor in the patient of hemiplegia. Before and after treatment, neurological defect scoring criterion, modified Ashworth, daily living abil
BackgroundThis study sought to analyse the impact of elderly age on long‐term prognosis of superficial spreading melanoma (SSM) after surgery.MethodsA population‐based cohort of patients undergoing ...resection for SSM from 2004 to 2015 was collected, using data from National Cancer Institute‘ Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)* Stat software. Patients were divided into the non‐elderly group (≤70 years) and elderly group (>70 years). Baseline characteristics and long‐term survivals were compared between the two groups. A 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) was used to reduce the risk of bias. The impact of the elderly age on overall survival (OS) and cause‐specific mortality (CSM) was estimated by Cox‐regression and competing‐risk regression models.ResultsAmong 12 536 patients with SSM after resection included into the cohort, 8664 patients were ≤70 years, and 3872 were >70 years. Patients in the elderly group had higher incidences of multiple tumours, worse tumour stage and infiltration degree, lymphatic metastasis, and larger size of primary lesions. Using PSM, 3581 pairs of patients were created. On matched analysis, the elderly group was associated with worse OS and CSM. On multivariable Cox‐regression and competing‐risk regression analyses, elderly age was identified as an independent risk factor of OS and CSM after adjusting for other prognostic variables.ConclusionsThe elderly age of patients was independently associated with worse OS and CSM after resection of SSM when baseline and tumour characteristics were balanced. Adjuvant therapy and individualized strategy on follow‐up should be made for elderly patients after resection of SSM.
