Characteristics, prognostic determinants of monocytes, macrophages and T cells in acute coronary syndrome: protocol for a multicenter, prospective cohort study.

Background: Acute coronary syndrome(ACS) is the leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide. Immune response has been confirmed to play a vital role in the occurrence and development of ACS. The objective of this prospective, multicenter, observational study is to define immune response and their relationship to the occurrence and progressive of ACS.

Direct costs for retinoblastoma treatment during the first year of comprehensive therapy in China.

Purpose: To evaluate the direct costs and analyze the potential cost-driving factors in the first year of retinoblastoma treatment in China.

Methods: Sixty-nine pediatric patients who received multidisciplinary treatment for retinoblastoma in three tertiary hospitals from 2006 to 2011 were included in this retrospective study. The direct costs, including costs for chemotherapy, focal therapy, anesthetic procedure, enucleation, fundus examination, hospitalization and outpatient appointment, transportation, and accommodation for family members, were obtained from medical records and interviews.