bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Application of abdominal sonography in diagnosis of infants with necrotizing enterocolitis
Authors: Chen Shuai , Hu Yuanjun , Liu Qinghua , Li Xiaoying , Wang Hefeng , Wang Kelai , Zhang Aihua 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the diagnostic significance of abdominal sonography (AUS) in infants with Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit to better evaluate the ability of AUS to differentiate necrotizing enterocolitis from other intestinal diseases.
All patients diagnosed with NEC at the Department of General Surgery and Neonatal Surgery, Qilu Children‘s Hospital between 1st, Jun, 2010 and 30th, Dec, 2015. The logistic regression analysis and the area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUCs) were also used to identify the sonographic factors for diagnosing NEC.
For the entire cohort of 91 patients, we divided these patients into suspected NEC (n = 35) group and definite NEC (n = 56) group. After adjusting for competing sonographic factors, we identified that thick bowel wall (more than 2.5 mm) (P = .013, OR: 1.246), intramural gas (pneumatosis intestinalis) (P = .002, OR:1.983), portal venous gas (P = .022, OR:1.655) and reduced peristalsis (P = .011, OR:1.667) were independent diagnostic factors associated with NEC. We built a logistic model to diagnose NEC according to the results of multivariable logistic regression analysis. We found the AUROC for thick bowel wall (more than 2.5 mm), intramural gas (pneumatosis intestinalis), portal venous gas and reduced peristalsis were significantly lower than the AUROC for the logistic model was 0.841 (95% CI: 0.669 to 0.946).
We found that thick bowel wall (more than 2.5 mm), intramural gas (pneumatosis intestinalis), portal venous gas and reduced peristalsis were independent diagnostic factors associated with NEC. The logistic model was significantly superior to the single sonographic parameter for diagnosing NEC.
Investigation of the relationship between non-ketotic hyperglycemia and hemichorea-hemiballism
Authors: Hsiao Po-Jen , Kuo Chih-Chun , Kuo Tai-You , Kao Yung-Hsi , Chan Jenq-Shyong , Lin Yen-Yue , Chen Ming-Hua , Chen Jin-Shuen , Chuu Chih-Pin 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Rationale:
Hemichorea-hemiballism, a rare manifestation of non-ketotic hyperglycemia, characterized by involuntary arrhythmic motions involving one side of the body, results from focal lesions in the contralateral caudate nucleus and putamen. Hyperkinetic disorders can be complications of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and should not be ignored.

Patient concerns:
We present the case of a 39-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with a 3-day history of left-sided hemichorea-hemiballism. She had type 2 diabetes mellitus with poor control and maintenance of regular hemodialysis.

Diagnoses:
The patient was diagnosed as hyperglycemia, normal ketone body and hemichorea-hemiballism based on laboratory examination, computed tomography (CT) scan, and brain magnetic resonance image (MRI).

Interventions:
Intensive glycemic control via insulin injection was prescribed for correction of hyperglycemia.

Outcomes:
The unilateral involuntary movements subsided progressively over four weeks. The patient's hemichorea had completely resolved at the three-month follow-up.

Lessons:
This unusual clinical presentation is often accompanied by severe hyperglycemia. Appropriate blood glycemic control is important. If physicians recognize and provide early treatment for this disease, it is usually treatable and has a good prognosis.
Uterine hypertonus and fetal bradycardia occurred after combined spinal-epidural analgesia during induction of labor with oxytocin infusion
Authors: Yang Lingyun , Wan Li , Huang Han , Qi Xiaorong 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Rationale:
Pain management is an essential part of good obstetrical care. The rapid onset of pain relief after combined spinal-epidural (CSE) analgesia may cause a transient imbalance in maternal catecholamine level, leading to uterine hyperactivity and fetal heart rate (FHR) abnormalities. How to manage the uterine basal tone and FHR abnormalities after labor analgesia still remains controversial.

Patient concerns:
A 33-year-old nulliparous woman at 40+5 weeks’ gestation underwent induction of labor after premature rupture of membranes. CSE analgesia was provided when the patient described her pain as the top on a scale of 10 during induction of labor with oxytocin infusion.

Diagnoses:
Uterine hypertonus and fetal bradycardia were diagnosed within 10 minutes after CSE analgesia.

Interventions:
Oxytocin infusion and CSE analgesia were immediately suspended, and measures of staying in left lateral decubitus position and giving supplemental oxygen were attempted to resuscitating the baby. Because of suspicious fetal distress, the baby was rapidly delivered by emergency cesarean section.

Outcomes:
The Apgar score of the baby was 8 and 10 at 1 and 5 minutes after birth. Subsequent follow-up confirmed that both mother and baby were in good condition.

Lessons:
The loss of the tocolytic effect of epinephrine after CSE analgesia and continuous oxytocin infusion may work together to form a totally synergistic function, finally leading to inevitable uterine hypertonus and fetal bradycardia. Both the obstetrical provider and anesthesiologist should carefully monitor all patients in the first 15 minutes after CES analgesia induction. Oxytocin administration in this critical period deserves attention. Additionally, intraprofessional collaboration is also necessary to ensure high quality and safe delivery for all childbearing women.
Medical expenditures and its determinants depending on receipt of public pension in South Korea
Authors: Choi Ryoung , Kang Hyun Goo 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Background:
The objective of this study was to analyze the expenditures on medical expenses and its determinants using the Korean Retirement and Income Data conducted by the National Pension Research Institute.

Methods:
This study utilized data from the Korean Retirement and Income Study from 2005 to 2013, which were compiled by the National Pension Research Institute. The t test and ANOVA were used to analyze the general characteristics and medical expenditures of subjects depending on the receipt of public pension, and logistic regression was used to identify the determinants of medical expenditures.

Results:
The results of this study indicated that households not receiving public pension are likely to spend more on medical expenses than those receiving public pension. The analysis results showed that gross household expenditures quintiles affected medical expenditures up to 4 times. Moreover, poor physical health was a stronger influence factor of medical expenditures than good physical health.

Conclusion:
It is necessary to prepare a pension policy that can guarantee a reasonable amount of a retirement pension to the retiree, provide health policy and financial support programs to medical services.
Sentinel lymph node mapping procedure in T1 colorectal cancer
Authors: Di Berardino Stefano , Capolupo Gabriella Teresa , Caricato Chiara , Caricato Marco 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Objective:
to investigate the role of sentinel lymph node mapping procedure in T1 Colorectal cancer.

Background:
The incidence of T1 Colorectal cancer is increasing thanks to screening and awareness campaigns. The issue concerning T1 is when to consider a local treatment curative or when it is necessary a radical resection. The histopathological features of resected polyps are able to predict the nodal spread but the value of specificity is increasingly a problem of these predictors. The sentinel lymph node procedure could be a solution.

Methods:
A systematic review was performed following PRISMA guidelines and using “sentinel node”, “lymph nodes”, and “colorectal cancer” as search terms in PubMed and Embase databases. References from included studies, review articles, and editorials were cross-checked. The risk of bias and quality of the included studies were assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. The primary outcome was sentinel lymph node accuracy rate and the secondary outcome was sentinel lymph node detection rate for T1 Colorectal cancer.

Results:
A total of 12 studies (108 patients) met inclusion and exclusion criteria, 8 were monocentric cohort studies and 4 were multicentric cohort studies. The rate of sentinel lymph node accuracy in T1 colorectal cancer varies from 89% to 100%. Only 1 false negative was found. In 7 of these 12 studies (71 patients) the detection rate of T1 colorectal cancer was reported and showed a variation from 92% to 100%. Even in this case, only 1 case of failed procedure was found.

Discussion:
The literature on this topic agrees on that sentinel lymph node mapping, differently from breast cancer and melanomas should not be used for therapeutic purposes in colorectal cancer, but mainly to refine staging. The reason is the low sensitivity of this procedure with an accompanying high false negative rate. However, the data refers mainly to advanced stages of the disease because there are few data available on the earlier stages and in particular related to T1. Isolating the data related only to T1, the false negative rate seems to be very low. Additional studies are necessary, but a decisional role of sentinel lymph node mapping on the treatment of T1 Colorectal cancer is possible in the future.
Acute pulmonary thromboembolism caused by factor V Leiden mutation in South Korea
Authors: Choe Hun Jee , Suh Koung Jin , Lee Ji Yun , Kim Minyoung , Kim Man Jin , Park Sung Sup , Kim Ji-Won , Kim Se Hyun , Kim Jin Won , Lee Jeong-Ok , Kim Yu Jung , Lee Keun-Wook , Kim Jee Hyun , Bang Soo-Mee , Lee Jong Seok 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Rationale:
Although Factor V Leiden (FVL) mutation is a major cause of inherited thrombophilia in Western populations; the mutation is extremely rare in Asia.

Patient concerns:
Here we report a case of a 28-year old Korean woman admitted to our hospital with extensive pulmonary embolism.

Diagnosis:
She was heterozygous for FVL mutation up on evaluation, and screening for asymptomatic family members also revealed heterozygous FVL mutation for her mother.

Interventions:
Enoxaparin 1 mg/kg was initiated, followed by rivaroxaban 15 mg every 12 hours.

Outcomes:
The patient showed improvement in both subjective dyspnea and right ventricular dysfunction and was successfully discharged after five hospital days.

Lessons:
FVL mutation screening may be considered in Asian patients with thrombophilia of uncertain etiology in the future.
Metabolic tumor volume and conformal radiotherapy based on prognostic PET/CT for treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Fei Zhaodong , Chen Chuanben , Huang Yingying , Qiu Xiufang , Li Yi , Li Li , Chen Taojun 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
For patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), prognostic indicators to customize subsequent biologically conformal radiation therapy may be obtained via 2-(fluorine-18)-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). This retrospective study assessed the prognostic significance and feasibility of conformal radiotherapy for NPC, based on 18F-FDG PET/CT. Eighty-two patients with NPC underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT prior to intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and metabolic tumor volume (MTV) of the primary tumor were measured, with MTV
x
based on absolute SUV
x
values ≥ specific threshold x on each axial image. The cut-off SUVmax and MTV values for predicting 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated according to a receiver operating characteristic curve. Assessed were correlations between SUVmax and MTV and between threshold x and MTV
x
, and the MTV percentage of the primary tumor volume at threshold x. The SUVmax and MTV were positively associated, as were MTV and primary tumor volume. Primary tumor volume, SUVmax, and MTV were significant predictors of survival. The 3-year PFS rates for SUVmax ≤8.20 and >8.20 were 91.1% and 73.0%, respectively (P = .027). With furthermore analysis, patients having tumor with smaller MTV had higher 3-year PFS than patients having tumor with larger MTV. The 3-year PFS rate was inversely related to MTV. SUVmax and MTV, derived by PET/CT, are important for assessing prognosis and planning radiotherapy for patients with NPC. Small MTV indicated better 3-year PFS compared with large MTV. For the best therapeutic effect, MTV4.0 was the best subvolume to determine radiotherapy boost.
Real-world treatment patterns and clinical outcomes among patients with advanced melanoma
Authors: Cowey C. Lance , Liu Frank Xiaoqing , Boyd Marley , Aguilar Kathleen M. , Krepler Clemens 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Recently, the effectiveness of novel immune checkpoint inhibitors and BRAF-directed therapies has been demonstrated in advanced melanoma trial populations. Limited research, however, has evaluated the impact of these therapies in a real-world setting. The aim of this study was to evaluate treatment patterns and clinical outcomes among advanced melanoma patients treated with modern therapies within community oncology clinics. Adult patients with advanced melanoma who initiated treatment within the US Oncology Network between 1/1/14 and 12/31/16 were included. Data were sourced from electronic healthcare records. Patients were followed through 12/31/17. Descriptive analyses were performed to assess patient and treatment characteristics and Kaplan–Meier methods were used for time-to-event outcomes. In total, 484 patients met eligibility criteria (32.0% with brain metastasis, 12.6% with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥2). In the first-line (1L) setting during the study period, 37.0% received anti-PD1 monotherapies, 26.4% ipilimumab monotherapy, 19.8% BRAF/MEK combination therapy, 6.4% BRAF or MEK monotherapy, 4.1% ipilimumab/nivolumab combination therapy and 6.2% other regimens. Differences in baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were observed across treatment groups. For the overall study population, the median (95% confidence interval) estimates for overall survival, time to next treatment and progression-free survival were 20.7 (16.0, 26.8), 5.8 (5.3, 6.5), and 4.9 (4.2, 5.7) months, respectively. The results of this study provide real-world insight into advanced melanoma treatment trends and clinical outcomes, including high utilization of immunotherapies and BRAF/MEK combination therapy. Future research can explore underlying differences in patient subpopulations and the sequence of therapies across lines of therapy.
Effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on neurological and functional rehabilitation in Basal Ganglia Stroke patients with obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Ren Lei , Wang Kai , Shen Honghua , Xu Yiming , Wang Jing , Chen Rui 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) adversely affects neurological recovery. This study aimed to determine the impact of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and/or rehabilitation in basal ganglia stroke patients with OSA.
A prospective controlled trial was conducted in 2015–2018. The subjects received routine rehabilitation training for up to 2 years and were assigned to the intervention and control groups treated with CPAP or without, respectively. Then, treatment effects on sleep parameters, motor function, stroke severity, daily life activities, cognitive function, and psychological states were assessed at different time points.
At 6 months, the CPAP group showed significantly lower mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), percentage of time with SpO2 at <90% (TS90%), micro-arousal index, and percentages of time in non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) stages 1–2 and REM stage in total sleeping time compared with the control group, and significantly higher mean minimum of peripheral oxygen saturation (L-SaO2%) and percentage of time in stage 3 (P < .001) sleep. The CPAP group showed significant improvements in average the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FMA), Barthel index (BI), Minimental state examination (MMSE), Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) and Hamilton depression rating scale for depression (HRSD) scores at different times versus the control group, respectively (P < .05). However, no difference in body mass index (BMI) management was observed (P > .05). Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed significant interactions between the two groups for change in FMA, MMSE, BI, HAMA, and HRSD scores from admission to 24 months (P < .001), but no significant was found for BMI (P = .582).
Basal ganglia stroke patients with OSA tend to have significantly greater sleeping, neurological and functional recovery after CPAP, and rehabilitation over 2 years.
Automatic current selection with iterative reconstruction reduces effective dose to less than 1 mSv in low-dose chest computed tomography in persons with normal BMI
Authors: Chen Li-Guo , Wu Ping-An , Sheu Min-Huei , Tu Hsing-Yang , Huang Li-Chuan 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Most of the recent studies have used fixed tube current while few investigators use automatic current selection (ACS) with iterative reconstruction (IR) techniques to reduce effective dose (ED) to < 1 mSv in low-dose chest computed tomography (LDCCT). We investigated whether image quality of lungs as produced by a fixed tube current (FTC) of 35 mAs can be maintained with ED < 1 mSv produced by ACS with IR techniques in LDCCT. A total of 32 participants were included. The LDCCT was performed by a FTC 35 mAs (with a kilovoltage peak of 120 kVp) in 16 participants (Group A), and by a DoseRight ACS in 16 participants (Group B). Their images were improved by IR technique. The ED was estimated by multiplying the individual dose length product (DLP) by the dose conversion factor. The image quality was assessed by the CT number, noise levels, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the regions of interest in the apex, upper lobe, and lower lobe of lung regions in the CT images. A t-test was used to evaluate the LDCCT image quality between the groups. The ED was significantly 49.2% lower in Group B than in Group A (0.71 ± 0.05 mSv vs 1.40 ± 0.02 mSv, P < .001). However, noise level, SNR, and CNR were not significantly different between Groups A and B, indicating the image quality was similar between two groups, or our setting parameters for DoseRight ACS with IR technique can achieve the image quality as good as obtained on the FTC 35 mAs with IR techniques. Our results suggest that the DoseRight ACS with IR technique reduces ED to lower than 1 mSv (averagely 0.71 mSv) yet maintains an image quality as good as produced by FTC 35 mAs with IR technique in normal BMI persons. The ACS setup thus is more preferable than the FTC to achieve the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principle.
Is there a standard treatment for displaced pediatric diametaphyseal forearm fractures?
Authors: Kubiak Rainer , Aksakal Devrim , Weiss Christel , Wessel Lucas M. , Lange Bettina 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
To review our institutional results and assess different surgical and non-surgical techniques for the treatment of displaced diametaphyseal forearm fractures in children and adolescents.
Thirty-four children (25M, 9F) with a total of 36 diametaphyseal forearm fractures who underwent treatment under general anesthesia between July 2010 and February 2016 were recruited to this retrospective study. From October 2016 until March 2018 patients and/or parents were contacted by telephone and interviewed using a modified Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI).
Median age at the time of injury was 9.1 years (range, 1.9–14.6 years). Initial treatment included manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) and application of plaster of Paris (POP) (n = 9), elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) (n = 10), percutaneous insertion of at least one Kirschner wire (K-wire) (n = 16), and application of external fixation (n = 1). Eleven children (32%) experienced a total of 22 complications. Seven complications were considered as major, including delayed union (n = 1) and extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon injury (n = 1) following ESIN, as well as loss of reduction (n = 2) and refractures (n = 3) after MUA/POP. The median follow-up time was 28.8 months (range, 5.3–85.8 months). In 32 out of 34 cases (94%) patients and/or parents were contacted by telephone and a PODCI score was obtained. Patients who experienced complications in the course of treatment had a significantly lower score compared with those whose fracture healed without any sequelae (P = .001). There was a trend towards an unfavorable outcome following ESIN compared with K-wire fixation (P = .063), but not compared with POP (P = .553). No statistical significance was observed between children who were treated initially with a POP and those who had K-wire fixation (P = .216).
There is no standard treatment for displaced pediatric diametaphyseal forearm fractures. Management with MUA/POP only is associated with an increased refracture rate. Based on our experience K-wire fixation including intramedullar positioning of at least one pin seems to be favorable compared with ESIN.
Cryptococcal pleuritis with pleural effusion as the only clinical presentation in a patient with hepatic cirrhosis
Authors: Wang Jie , Hong Jin-Jing , Zhang Piao-Piao , Yang Mei-Fang , Yang Qing , Qu Ting-Ting 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Rationale:
Cryptococcosis is a significant life-threatening fungal infection in worldwide, mainly reported in immunocompromised patients. Pleural effusion presentation of cryptococcal infection as the only clinical presentation is rarely seen in pulmonary cryptococcosis, which may lead to be misdiagnosed, and the study on this subject will provide further insights.

Patient concerns:
A 64-year-old man was hospitalized in our department and diagnosed as hepatic B cirrhosis. A computed tomography (CT) of the thorax showed a massive right pleural effusion without pulmonary parenchymal abnormalities. He was started on empirical treatment for pleural tuberculosis (TB). However, during his hospitalization, a right pleural effusion developed and fever was not controlled.

Diagnoses:
On day 14 admission, pleural fluid cultured positive for Cryptococcus neoformans. The C neoformans isolate belonged to ST5 and molecular type VNI (var. grubii).

Interventions:
The patient was diagnosed with cryptococcal pleuritis, then amphotericin B and fluconazole were administrated.

Outcomes:
Finally, the patient was improved and discharged from our hospital.

Lessons:
Similar cases in cryptococcal pleuritis patients with pleural effusion as the only clinical presentation in the literature are also reviewed. Through literature review, we recommend that pleural effusion cryptococcal antigen test should be used to diagnose cryptococcal pleuritis to reduce misdiagnosis. The early administration of antifungal drug with activity to Cryptococcus seemed beneficial in preventing dissemination of cryptococcosis.