Isolated cryptococcosis of a lumbar vertebra in an immunocompetent patient: A case report and literature review.

Background: , a kind of fungus, can be found in soil, decayed wood, and avian excreta. Immunocompromised patients are prone to infection caused by , and the lungs and central nervous system are the main target organs. Cryptococcosis rarely occurs in the lumbar vertebra or in immunocompetent patients.

Changes in Bone Turnover Markers after Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures in Males and Females.

Background: To explore the normal changes in bone turnover markers (BTMs) and the correlations between the different BTMs after osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). Meanwhile, we explored the related differences that exist between sexes.

Methods: A total of 130 OVCF patients were retrospectively reviewed.

The safety and efficacy of gemcitabine and cisplatin (GP)-based induction chemotherapy plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a meta-analysis.

Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of gemcitabine and cisplatin (GP)-based induction chemotherapy (IC) plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC).

Methods: We systematically searched the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. The endpoints included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), distant failure-free survival (DMFS), locoregional failure-free survival (LRFFS) and treatment-related adverse events (AEs).

The prognostic role of prognostic nutritional index in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The prognostic utility of the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has never been systematically reviewed. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis.

Methods: We performed comprehensive research via Embase, PubMed, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library.

The evaluation of adding induction chemotherapy to concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a meta-analysis.

Purpose: We performed a meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of induction chemotherapy (IC) followed by cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) versus cisplatin-based CCRT for patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC).

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library and Embase until February 29, 2020, for eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The quality of the studies was assessed with the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool.