Prognostic Factors for Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Advanced-stage Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Nationwide Retrospective Study.

Introduction: While Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is mostly curable, outcomes for advanced-stage HL remain unsatisfactory. The International Prognostic Score and its modifications were developed to predict HL prognosis; however, more straightforward prognostic factors are needed. This study aimed to identify simpler prognostic factors for advanced-stage newly diagnosed HL (NDHL).

Evaluation of lateral capacity for flexible drilled shafts in cohesionless soils.

This study aimed to evaluate and improve the - curve method for use in the lateral analysis of flexible circular drilled shafts in cohesionless soils. Onsite circular drilled shaft lateral load test data from all over the world were collected, and the applicability of O'Neill and Murchison's - curve method was evaluated by comparing the measured values with the method's predicted values. Results showed that the current predictions were underestimated after applying the method to a database of flexible circular drilled shafts in cohesionless soils.

Critical Factors of Dose Distribution in Breast Cancer Tomotherapy With Metallic Port Breast Tissue Expander: Image Correction, Delivery Mode, and Volume Impact.

Breast reconstruction helps patients enhance their body image after mastectomy. Metallic ports in tissue expanders lead to dose attenuation during radiotherapy. Tissue expander volume shifts the metallic port position, possibly causing various dose alterations.

The Differences and Perspectives Between Elderly Individuals and Their Surrogates Regarding End-of-Life Care: A Mixed Methods Study.

Family members often take the place of decision-making for elderly individuals. Previous studies showed that family members could not predict elderly individuals' thoughts about end-of-life care. The aims are to understand the differences and perspectives between elderly individuals and surrogates regarding end-of-life care.

Hospice Care Services Associated With a Lower Utilization of Life-Sustaining Treatments During End-Of-Life Care Among People Living With HIV/AIDS: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Hospice care involves improving quality of end-of-life (EOL) care and respecting patients' preferences regarding EOL treatment. However, the impact of hospice care services on the utilization of life-sustaining treatments during EOL care in patients with life-limiting diseases has not been extensively studied. This nationwide cohort study aimed to determine the impact of hospice care services on the utilization of life-sustaining treatments during the last 3 months of life among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Taiwan.

Temporal Trends in the Microbiological Characteristics of Sepsis in the United States: A Population Based Study.

Background: Epidemiologic studies are needed for monitoring population-level trends in sepsis. This study examines sepsis-causing microorganisms from 2006 to 2014 in the United States using data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database.

Methods: 7 860 686 adults hospitalized with sepsis were identified using a validated ICD-9 coding approach.

Survival after multiple nail gun injuries to the brain, lung, and heart: a case report and a review of the literature.

Most nail gun injuries involve the extremities and result from work-related accidents. Injuries to the brain or thorax are relatively rare, and cases with injuries to both regions are even rarer and often lethal. Initial evaluation, resuscitation, and surgical planning can be challenging for emergency physicians and surgeons.

Association of Ambient Fine Particulate Matter (PM) with Elevated Fecal Hemoglobin Concentration and Colorectal Carcinogenesis: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study.

The roles of ambient fine particulate matter (PM) in the prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC) have been scarcely highlighted as there is short of empirical evidence regarding the influences of PM on multistep carcinogenic processes of CRC. A retrospective cohort design with multistate outcomes was envisaged by linking monthly average PM concentrations at 22 city/county level with large-scale cohorts of cancer-screened population to study the influences of PM on short-term inflammatory process and multistep carcinogenic processes of CRC. Our study included a nationwide CRC screening cohort of 4,628,995 aged 50-69 years who attended first screen between 2004 and 2009 and continued periodical screens until 2016.

Effects and Safety of Lumbar Fusion Techniques in Lumbar Spondylolisthesis: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Study Design: Network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objectives: Lumbar spondylolisthesis is a common indication for spinal fusion. Lumbar interbody fusion (LIF) is popular method to achieve arthrodesis, but previous syntheses usually used head-to-head comparison of 2 surgical methods, and no of them pooled analysis with high-quality.

A Pilot Study of Metabolomic Pathways Associated With Fatigue in Survivors of Colorectal Cancer.

Background: Over 30% of cancer survivors experience chronic fatigue. An alteration in energy metabolism is one of the hypothesized mechanisms for cancer-related fatigue (CRF). No studies have evaluated for changes in metabolic profiles in cancer survivors with CRF.