Galectin-3 may serve as a marker for poor prognosis in colorectal cancer: A meta-analysis

Galectin-3 has an important function in the development of tumors. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to explore the relationships between the expression of galectin-3 on clinicopathological features and prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). A comprehensive literature search was used to identify eligible studies, and Stata software was conducted using in this meta-analysis. A total of 15 studies, including 1661 cases, were matched in the inclusion criteria. The pooled analysis indicated that galectin-3 expression was related to the poor overall survival (OS) in CRC patients (HR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.36–2.31, P < 0.0001). Our meta-analysis also showed that cancerous tissues have higher levels of galectin-3 expression than normal tissues. Besides, positive galectin-3 expression was also related to advanced TNM stages(III/IV vs. I/II: OR 5.30, 95% CI: 2.42–11.61, P < 0.0001), higher Duke’s stages (C/D vs. A/B: OR 4.00, 95% CI: 2.22–7.22, P < 0.0001), venous invasion (venous invasion vs. not: OR 3.02, 95%CI: 1.75–5.22, P < 0.0001) and higher CEA level (CEA≥5 ng/ml vs. ≤ 5 ng/ml: OR 2.09, 95% CI: 1.09–4.03, P = 0.03). In summary, our results indicated that overexpression of galectin-3 is significantly related to the tumor progression and could be a efficient in predicting the prognosis of patients with CRC.     

Outcome prediction for Bonebridge candidates based on audiological indication criteria

ObjectiveTo re-evaluate current indication criteria and to estimate the audiological outcomes of patients with Bonebridge bone conduction implants based on preoperative bone conduction thresholds.MethodsWe assessed the outcome of 28 subjects with either conductive or mixed hearing loss (CMHL) or single-sided deafness (SSD) who were undergoing a Bonebridge implantation. We used linear regression to evaluate the influence of preoperative bone conduction thresholds of the better/poorer ear, indication group, and language (German- and French-speaking patients) on aided sound field thresholds. In addition, aided word recognition scores at 65 dB sound pressure level were fit with a logistic model that included preoperative bone conduction thresholds of the better/poorer ear, indication group, and language as effects.ResultsWe found that both aided sound field thresholds and word recognition were correlated with the preoperative bone conduction thresholds of the better hearing ear. No correlation between audiological outcomes and the preoperative bone conduction thresholds of the poorer ear, language, or indication group was found.ConclusionBone conduction thresholds of the better hearing ear should be used to estimate the outcome of patients undergoing Bonebridge implantation. We suggest the indication criteria for Bonebridge candidates considering maximal bone conduction thresholds of the better ear at 38 dB HL to achieve an aided sound field threshold of at least 30 dB hearing level and an aided word recognition score of at least 75% for monosyllabic words.     

A simple mnemonic,B.U.R.N.S., for burns first aid

IntroductionBurn injuries remain common in the world, with an average of more than thousands of cases requiring medical attention each year. Singapore sees an average of 220 burns admissions annually. Given the high number of burn cases in Singapore, the authors identified that there is a need for more public awareness on first aid burn treatment. Acute management of burns can improve eventual patient outcome. The authors devised a simple mnemonic that can be used in burns education for first aid treatment, intended to be taught to trained personnel, who will have the first contact with these burn patients. The aim of the study was to assess the viability of implementing this mnemonic, B.U.R.N.S, to facilitate first aid education for burns.Material and methodsIn this study, we presented this mnemonic as a poster to 30 full-time burn care medical professionals. Feedback was then obtained from this group of medical professionals and used to revise the mnemonic. The mnemonic was then subsequently taught to 400 medical professionals, who are predominantly involved in the pre-hospital management of burns. They are then asked to reiterate the mnemonic to test the ease of remembering the mnemonic. Objective feedback was obtained with a 5-point scoring system.ResultsThe results indicated a significant improvement in burn first aid knowledge after the implementation of the mnemonic, from a score of 3.67–4.77, The content was deemed as appropriate and easy to understand and recall, and participants were able to reiterate the content, and will recommend this mnemonic to be used for burns teaching for first aid.ConclusionThe study results suggest that this B.U.R.N.S. mnemonic and visual aid is simple and easy to apply, especially for uniformed personnel, as these individuals may have the first contact with the burns victims, and it is important for them to render the appropriate burns first aid treatment. Overall, burns first aid awareness and education can be improved with the implementation of this mnemonic and poster. Moving forward, we aim to integrate the B.U.R.N.S. into educational programmes in professional institutions involved in responding to burns (medical and nursing schools of Singapore), as well as in schools and public institutions, for educational purpose to raise public awareness. We wish to also be able to do so on an international level when courses are conducted.     

Pronation on weightbearing radiographs does not correlate with pronation from weightbearing CT scans

IntroductionIn hallux valgus (HV), first metatarsal pronation is increasingly recognized as an important aspect of the deformity. The purpose of this study was to compare pronation in HV patients determined from the shape of the lateral head of the first metatarsal on AP weightbearing radiographs with pronation calculated from weightbearing CT (WBCT) scans.MethodsPatients were included in this study if they had preoperative and 5-month postoperative WBCT scans and corresponding weightbearing AP radiographs of the affected foot. Pronation of the first metatarsal on WBCT scans was measured using a 3D CAD model and the alpha angle and categorized into four groups on radiographs. Association between pronation groups on radiographs and WBCT scans was determined using Spearman correlation coefficients (r_s) and by comparing mean WBCT pronation of the first metatarsal between plain radiograph pronation groups.ResultsAgreement between the two observers’ pronation on radiographs was good (k = 0.634) and moderate (k = 0.501), respectively. There was no correlation between radiographic pronation and the 3D CAD model (r_s < 0.15). Preoperatively, there was weak correlation between the alpha angle and the radiographic pronation groups (r_s = 0.371, P = 0.048) although this relationship did not hold postoperatively (r_s = 0.330, P = 0.081). There was no difference in mean pronation calculated on WBCT scans between the plain radiographic groups.ConclusionPronation of the first metatarsal measured on weightbearing AP radiographs had moderate interobserver agreement and was only weakly associated with pronation measured from WBCT scans. These results suggest that first metatarsal pronation measured on weightbearing radiographs is not a substitute for pronation measured on WBCT scans.Level of evidenceIII, retrospective cohort study.     

院前急救对急性出血性脑卒中患者的影响

目的:分析和探讨院前急救对急性出血性脑卒中患者预后及死亡率的影响。方法:选取急诊科150例急性出血性脑卒中患者,其中107例经院前急救给予心电监护、吸氧、镇静、脱水降颅压等初步处理后送往石景山医院急诊科就诊,43例自行来院(未经任何处理,由家属直接送入医院)。对两组患者进行分析比较。结果:107例患者经过院前急救,预后良好率37.4%,植物生存率9.3%,死亡率5.6%;而其余43例患者预后良好率11.6%,植物生存率32.6%,死亡率23.2%。院前急救在争取院内救治时间、降低病死率和神经系统并发症等方面均具有显著的作用和效果。结论:及时有效的院前救治大大降低了急性出血性脑卒中的植物生存率和病死率,对于进一步提高抢救成功率和预后生存质量起到了至关重要的作用。     

Auditory speech sounds evaluation (A§E®): a new test to assess detection,discrimination and identification in hearing impairment

Abstract

This paper describes a set of suprathreshold tests, available as a software package (A§E®), for the auditory evaluation of the hearing impaired. It uses isolated speech sounds as test material for a discrimination, identification and detection test, and is specifically suited to test preverbal children. All tests allow strict analytical interpretation. The test material and procedures are described. Their clinical use is illustrated. The authors claim that suprathreshold tests are feasible in the preverbal child, allowing analytical evaluation of the auditory capacities. These tests are complementary to the routinely used detection tests and add significantly to the hearing evaluation in preverbal children. The authors recommend the phoneme discrimination test for selection of cochlear implant candidates and for the evaluation and fitting of cochlear implants. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comments on: Perioperative von Willebrand factor dynamics are associated with liver regeneration and predict outcome after liver resection

正Recentlythearticle"PerioperativevonWillebrandfactordynamics are associated with liver regeneration and predict outcome afterliver resection" was published in Hepatology[1].Prof.Starlinger et al. aimed to assess the association of von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels and clinical outcome in patients with liver cancers post-liverresection(LR).Basedonthemechanismthatplatelets accumulation in the liver may promote liver regeneration after partial LR in mice, they found the vWF-dependent pattern of platelets accumulationduringliverregenerationinpatientsaftersurgery.