The Natural Course of Serum D-Dimer,C-Reactive Protein,and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Levels After Uneventful Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty

BackgroundThis study aimed to assess the baseline levels of D-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and monitor the natural course of these serum markers after uneventful primary total joint arthroplasty.MethodsThis prospective study enrolled 81 patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty. The level of serum D-dimer, CRP, and ESR was measured preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 3, 5, 15, and 45. Mean peak values, peak times, and distribution were compared between D-Dimer, CRP, and ESR.ResultsThe mean preoperative serum D-dimer, CRP, and ESR level was 412 ± 260 (range 200-980) ng/mL, 2.93 ± 2.1 (range 1-18) mg/L, and 22.88 ± 17.5 (range 3-102) mm/h, respectively. The highest mean peak for D-dimer, CRP, and ESR was at postoperative day 1, 3, and 5, respectively.ConclusionD-dimer levels reached peak levels on postoperative day 1 and then declined rapidly to a plateau level by postoperative day 3. A second, albeit small, peak in the level of D-dimer occurred on postoperative day 15. The level of CRP and ESR remained elevated for much longer with CRP returning to baseline on postoperative day 45 and the level of ESR had not returned back to normal on postoperative day 45.     

Effect of Quxie capsule in patients with colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:To investigate whether the Quxie capsule can decrease relapse, metastasis, and symptoms, as well as alleviate the side effects in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.Methods:A comprehensive literature search of multiple databases was performed. Two reviewers independently selected trials that assessed the relapse-metastasis rate, degree of symptoms, and side effects of Quxie capsule for CRC. The meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3.Results:This meta-analysis included 6 studies, with a total of 408 cases. The quality of the included studies was generally low, with only 1 trial of high quality. A statistically significant difference was observed in the relapse-metastasis rate between the Quxie capsule and control groups after 2-years follow-up (n = 185, relative risk (RR) = 0.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04–0.46; P = .002). The Quxie capsule was found to reduce the traditional Chinese medicine symptom score as compared to the control (n = 208, weighted mean differences (WMD) = −4.15, 95% CI −7.30 to −1.00; P = .010), while it showed no significant improvement in the Karnofsky Performance Status score (n = 138, WMD = 5.05; 95% CI −2.95 to 13.04; P = .22). There was no difference in adverse events between the 2 groups (P = .66).Conclusion:This systematic review and meta-analysis showed no clear superiority of Quxie capsule for CRC patients receiving chemotherapy. The effect of Quxie capsule in CRC patients should be examined by high quality, large sample size, multi-center RCTs, with longer follow-up.     

Identification of Genetic Causes of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis Increases With Proper Patient Selection

ObjectiveTo increase the likelihood of finding a causative genetic variant in patients with a focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) lesion, clinical and histologic characteristics were analyzed.Patients and MethodsIndividuals 18 years and older with an FSGS lesion on kidney biopsy evaluated at Mayo Clinic from November 1, 1999, through October 31, 2019, were divided into 4 groups based on clinical and histologic characteristics: primary FSGS, secondary FSGS with known cause, secondary FSGS without known cause, and undetermined FSGS. A targeted gene panel and a customized gene panel retrieved from exome sequencing were performed.ResultsThe overall rate of detection of a monogenic cause was 42.9% (21/49). Individuals with undetermined FSGS had the highest rate of positivity (87.5%; 7/8) followed by secondary FSGS without an identifiable cause (61.5%; 8/13) and secondary FSGS with known cause (33.3%; 5/15). Four of 5 (80%) individuals in the latter group who had positive genetic testing results also had a family history of kidney disease. Univariate analysis showed that family history of kidney disease (odds ratio [OR], 13.8; 95% CI, 3.7 to 62.4; P<.001), absence of nephrotic syndrome (OR, 8.2; 95% CI, 1.9 to 58.1; P=.004), and female sex (OR, 5.1; 95% CI, 1.5 to 19.9; P=.01) were strong predictors of finding a causative genetic variant in the entire cohort. The most common variants were in the collagen genes (52.4%; 11/21), followed by the podocyte genes (38.1%; 8/21).ConclusionIn adults with FSGS lesions, proper selection of patients increases the rate of positive genetic testing significantly. The majority of individuals with undetermined FSGS in whom the clinical presentation and histologic parameters are discordant had a genetic diagnosis.     

Preoperative Management of Endocrine,Hormonal, and Urologic Medications: Society for Perioperative Assessment and Quality Improvement (SPAQI) Consensus Statement

Perioperative medical management is challenging due to the rising complexity of patients presenting for surgical procedures. A key part of preoperative optimization is appropriate management of long-term medications, yet guidelines and consensus statements for perioperative medication management are lacking. Available resources utilize the recommendations derived from individual studies and do not include a multidisciplinary focus or formal consensus. The Society for Perioperative Assessment and Quality Improvement (SPAQI) identified a lack of authoritative clinical guidance as an opportunity to utilize its multidisciplinary membership to improve evidence-based perioperative care. SPAQI seeks to provide guidance on perioperative medication management that synthesizes available literature with expert consensus. The aim of this Consensus Statement is to provide practical guidance on the preoperative management of endocrine, hormonal, and urologic medications. A panel of experts with anesthesiology, perioperative medicine, hospital medicine, general internal medicine, and medical specialty experience was drawn together and identified the common medications in each of these categories. The authors then utilized a modified Delphi approach to critically review the literature and generate consensus recommendations.     

High-dose versus standard-dose daunorubicin in induction therapy for young patients with de novo acute myeloid leukaemia: a meta-analysis of randomised trials

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of high-dose versus standard-dose daunorubicin for young patients with de novo acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) using meta-analysis.

Methods: Two trials were taken from 2,481 full-text articles. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² index. Quality assessment was performed with the Cochrane Collaboration’s risk-of-bias tool.

Results: The analysis showed that high-dose daunorubicin induction therapy was associated with higher complete remission (CR) rate (n?=?965; RR?=?1.80; 95% CI?=?1.36–2.38; p?I^2?=?0%) and improved overall survival (n?=?1040; HR?=?0.74; 95% CI?=?0.63–0.87; p?=?0.0003; I^2?=?0%) compared with standard-dose daunorubicin. However, there was no significant interaction between treatment efficacy and prognostic category based on cytogenetics (favourable, intermediate and unfavourable) (p?=?0.44, I^2?=?0%).

Conclusion: High-dose daunorubicin therapy could increase CR rate and improve long-term outcome for young patients with de novo AML. However, further study is needed to identify those who can benefit from high-dose daunorubicin.