Identification of NR3C2 as a functional diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target in non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including the lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) subtypes, is a malignant tumor type with a poor 5-year survival rate. The identification of new powerful diagnostic biomarkers, prognostic biomarkers, and potential therapeutic targets in NSCLC is urgently required.

Methods: The UCSC Xena, UALCAN, and GEO databases were used to screen and analyze differentially expressed genes, regulatory modes, and genetic/epigenetic alterations in NSCLC.

Microplastics cause reproductive toxicity in male mice through inducing apoptosis of spermatogenic cells via p53 signaling.

Background: Studies on male reproductive toxicity of microplastics are still scarce and the precise mechanism is not distinct.

Methods: C57BL/6 male mice were given oral gavage treatments treated with 5 μm (MPs) and 80 nm (NPs) polystyrene microplastics every day for 60 consecutive days in a row at dosages of 0, 10 and 40 mg/kg/d. The major damage of MPs and NPs were assessed by the assays in vivo and in vitro.

Lymph node ratio precisely predicts the benefit of postoperative radiotherapy in esophageal cancer: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: The matter of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) in esophageal cancer (ESCA) was far from conclusive. Some evidence indicated that lymph node status could affect treatment. We evaluated lymph node ratio (LNR) as an indicator that could be applied to predict PORT benefit.

The Association between Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and High-Energy Diets and Academic Performance in Junior School Students.

This study aimed to understand the consumption frequency of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and high-energy diets in junior school students in China and to explore the relationship between SSBs and high-energy diets and academic performance. Information about 9251 junior school students was retrieved from the China Education Panel Survey (CEPS) database. The Mann−Whitney U test and the Kruskal−Wallis test were used to compare differences in academic performance based on the variables of interest.

Pneumonia surveillance and its attendant clinical risk stratification for COVID-19 in low-risk patients.

Objectives: The objective of the study is to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 in the context of a secondary pneumonia surveillance program targeted at low-risk patients and to identify clinical characteristics associated with COVID-19.

Study Design: This study design is a retrospective cohort study.

Methods: This study is conducted in Tan Tock Seng Hospital, a University affiliated 1600-bed public hospital in Singapore.

A comparative profitability analysis of transcatheter versus surgical aortic valve replacement in a high-volume French hospital.

Background: Current scientific guidelines have extended the indication for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to patients who present an intermediate risk for surgery and have been so far considered for conventional surgery. We previously demonstrated that the TAVR procedure generated profits despite elevated costs, but comparison with surgery has not been performed. The objective of this study was to assess the profitability of the TAVR procedure compared with conventional surgery in a high-volume French hospital.

Worry About Caregiving Performance: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis.

Recent studies on the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) support the existence of a unique factor, worry about caregiving performance (WaP), beyond role and personal strain. Our current study aims to confirm the existence of WaP within the multidimensionality of ZBI and to determine if predictors of WaP differ from the role and personal strain. We performed confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on 466 caregiver-patient dyads to compare between one-factor (total score), two-factor (role/personal strain), three-factor (role/personal strain and WaP), and four-factor models (role strain split into two factors).

Intermediate Results of the Prestige LP Cervical Disc Replacement: Clinical and Radiological Analysis With Minimum Two-Year Follow-up.

Study Design: prospective study.

Objective: present results of Prestige LP artificial cervical disc replacement (ADR).

Summary Of Background Data: motion preservation with ADR can potentially reduce adjacent segment degeneration.

[Association and meta-analysis of ENPP1 K121Q with type 2 diabetes in Han Chinese.].

Multiple meta-analyses in Europeans showed that ENPP1 K121Q polymorphism was associated with type 2 diabetes. However, no association in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese in Taiwan, and inconsistent results in mainland Chinese were reported. In this study, the single nucleotide polymorphism K121Q of the ENPP1gene was genotyped in 539 type 2 diabetes patients and 404 healthy controls.

Percutaneous endoscopic discectomy: clinical results and how it affects the quality of life.

Study Design: Prospective study

Objective: To determine the clinical outcomes and the effect on quality of life of patients with endoscopic discectomy.

Summary Of Background Data: Percutaneous endoscopic discectomy is a relatively new technique. Very few studies have reported the clinical outcome of percutaneous endoscopic discectomy in terms of quality of life and return to the work.

Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy: clinical and quality of life outcomes with a minimum 2 year follow-up.

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy is a relatively new technique. Very few studies have reported the clinical outcome of percutaneous endoscopic discectomy in terms of quality of life and return to work.

Method: 55 patients with percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy done from 2002 to 2006 had their clinical outcomes reviewed in terms of the North American Spine Score (NASS), Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 scores (SF-36) and Pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and return to work.

Perioperative outcomes of anterior lumbar surgery in obese versus non-obese patients.

Background Context: Anterior lumbar surgery is a common procedure for anterior lumbar interbody fusion and disc replacement but the impact of obesity on this procedure has not been determined.

Purpose: To assess the perioperative outcomes of anterior retroperitoneal lumbar surgery in obese versus non-obese patients.

Study Design/setting: Prospective review of patients with anterior retroperitoneal lumbar disc procedures

Patient Sample: Seventy-four patients with anterior retroperitoneal lumbar disc procedures performed were evaluated.

Clinical and radiological outcomes of minimally invasive versus open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Objective: Comparison of clinical and radiologic outcomes of minimally invasive (MIS) versus Open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).

Summary Of Background Data: Open TLIF has been performed for many years with good results.

Effect of intervertebral disc height on postoperative motion and clinical outcomes after Prodisc-C cervical disc replacement.

Background Context: Cervical total disc replacement (TDR) is an emerging technology. However, the factors that influence postoperative range of motion (ROM) and patient satisfaction are not fully understood.

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of pre- and postoperative disc height on postoperative motion and clinical outcomes.

Vertebral artery injury in cervical spine surgery: anatomical considerations, management, and preventive measures.

Background Context: Vertebral artery (VA) injury can be a catastrophic iatrogenic complication of cervical spine surgery. Although the incidence is rare, it has serious consequences including fistulas, pseudoaneurysm, cerebral ischemia, and death. It is therefore imperative to be familiar with the anatomy and the instrumentation techniques when performing anterior or posterior cervical spine surgeries.

Polyurethane grafts: a viable alternative for dialysis arteriovenous access?

Polyurethane grafts, promoted for their self-sealing properties and low complication rates, were recently introduced for hemodialysis access. We review our experience with this graft material to determine its complication and patency rates. Between January 1995 and December 1999, 118 patients, 75 female and 43 male, with a mean age of 51 years, had a total of 163 polyurethane arteriovenous grafts inserted.

Comparative full-length genome sequence analysis of 14 SARS coronavirus isolates and common mutations associated with putative origins of infection.

Background: The cause of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has been identified as a new coronavirus. Whole genome sequence analysis of various isolates might provide an indication of potential strain differences of this new virus. Moreover, mutation analysis will help to develop effective vaccines.