Based on the framework of Halliday's theory of interpersonal function, this study intends to analyze the dialogues in the film The King's Speech from the three aspects of mood type, modal operator and vocative...Based on the framework of Halliday's theory of interpersonal function, this study intends to analyze the dialogues in the film The King's Speech from the three aspects of mood type, modal operator and vocative address by adopting both quantitative and qualitative methods. The significances of successful realizations of interpersonal function to the role characterization, plot development and thematic construction in the film are also demonstrated, thus deepening the understanding and appreciation of the film.展开更多
BACKGROUND Acute pancreatitis(AP)is a common surgical condition,with severe AP(SAP)potentially lethal.Many prognostic indices,including;acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II score(APACHE II),bedside index ...BACKGROUND Acute pancreatitis(AP)is a common surgical condition,with severe AP(SAP)potentially lethal.Many prognostic indices,including;acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II score(APACHE II),bedside index of severity in acute pancreatitis(BISAP),Glasgow score,harmless acute pancreatitis score(HAPS),Ranson’s score,and sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA)evaluate AP severity and predict mortality.AIM To evaluate these indices'utility in predicting severity,intensive care unit(ICU)admission,and mortality.METHODS A retrospective analysis of 653 patients with AP from July 2009 to September 2016 was performed.The demographic,clinical profile,and patient outcomes were collected.SAP was defined as per the revised Atlanta classification.Values for APACHE II score,BISAP,HAPS,and SOFA within 24 h of admission were retrospectively obtained based on laboratory results and patient evaluation recorded on a secure hospital-based online electronic platform.Data with<10%missing data was imputed via mean substitution.Other patient information such as demographics,disease etiology,and patient outcomes were also derived from electronic medical records.RESULTS The mean age was 58.7±17.5 years,with 58.7%males.Gallstones(n=404,61.9%),alcohol(n=38,5.8%),and hypertriglyceridemia(n=19,2.9%)were more common aetiologies.81(12.4%)patients developed SAP,20(3.1%)required ICU admission,and 12(1.8%)deaths were attributed to SAP.Ranson’s score and APACHE-II demonstrated the highest sensitivity in predicting SAP(92.6%,80.2%respectively),ICU admission(100%),and mortality(100%).While SOFA and BISAP demonstrated lowest sensitivity in predicting SAP(13.6%,24.7%respectively),ICU admission(40.0%,25.0%respectively)and mortality(50.0%,25.5%respectively).However,SOFA demonstrated the highest specificity in predicting SAP(99.7%),ICU admission(99.2%),and mortality(98.9%).SOFA demonstrated the highest positive predictive value,positive likelihood ratio,diagnostic odds ratio,and overall accuracy in predicting SAP,ICU admission,and mortality.SOFA and Ranson’s score demonstrated the highest area under receiver-operator curves at 48 h in predicting SAP(0.966,0.857 respectively),ICU admission(0.943,0.946 respectively),and mortality(0.968,0.917 respectively).CONCLUSION The SOFA and 48-h Ranson’s scores accurately predict severity,ICU admission,and mortality in AP,with more favorable statistics for the SOFA score.展开更多
BACKGROUND Robotic surgery has been considered to be significantly better than laparoscopic surgery for complicated procedures.AIM To explore the short-term effect of robotic and laparoscopic spleen-preserving splenic...BACKGROUND Robotic surgery has been considered to be significantly better than laparoscopic surgery for complicated procedures.AIM To explore the short-term effect of robotic and laparoscopic spleen-preserving splenic hilar lymphadenectomy(SPSHL)for advanced gastric cancer(GC)by Huang’s three-step maneuver.METHODS A total of 643 patients who underwent SPSHL were recruited from April 2012 to July 2017,including 35 patients who underwent robotic SPSHL(RSPSHL)and 608 who underwent laparoscopic SPSHL(LSPSHL).One-to-four propensity score matching was used to analyze the differences in clinical data between patients who underwent robotic SPSHL and those who underwent laparoscopic SPSHL.RESULTS In all,175 patients were matched,including 35 patients who underwent RSPSHL and 140 who underwent LSPSHL.After matching,there were no significant differences detected in the baseline characteristics between the two groups.Significant differences in total operative time,estimated blood loss(EBL),splenic hilar blood loss(SHBL),splenic hilar dissection time(SHDT),and splenic trunk dissection time were evident between these groups(P<0.05).Furthermore,no significant differences were observed between the two groups in the overall noncompliance rate of lymph node(LN)dissection(62.9%vs 60%,P=0.757),number of retrieved No.10 LNs(3.1±1.4 vs 3.3±2.5,P=0.650),total number of examined LNs(37.8±13.1 vs 40.6±13.6,P=0.274),and postoperative complications(14.3%vs 17.9%,P=0.616).A stratified analysis that divided the patients receiving RSPSHL into an early group(EG)and a late group(LG)revealed that the LG experienced obvious improvements in SHDT and length of stay compared with the EG(P<0.05).Logistic regression showed that robotic surgery was a significantly protective factor against both SHBL and SHDT(P<0.05).CONCLUSION RSPSHL is safe and feasible,especially after overcoming the early learning curve,as this procedure results in a radical curative effect equivalent to that of LSPSHL.展开更多
BACKGROUND Laparoscopic ileocolic resection(LICR)is the preferred surgical approach for primary ileocolic Crohn’s disease(CD)because it has greater recovery benefits than open ICR(OICR).AIM To compare short-and long-...BACKGROUND Laparoscopic ileocolic resection(LICR)is the preferred surgical approach for primary ileocolic Crohn’s disease(CD)because it has greater recovery benefits than open ICR(OICR).AIM To compare short-and long-term outcomes in patients who underwent LICR and OICR.METHODS Patients who underwent ICR for primary CD from 2006 to 2017 at a single tertiary center specializing in CD were included.Patients who underwent LICR and OICR were subjected to propensity-score matching analysis.Patients were propensityscore matched 1:1 by factors potentially associated with 30-d perioperative morbidity.These included demographic characteristics and disease-and treatment-related variables.Factors were compared using univariate and multivariate analyses.Long-term surgical recurrence-free survival(SRFS)in the two groups was determined by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test.RESULTS During the study period,348 patients underwent ICR,211 by the open approach and 137 laparoscopically.Propensity-score matching yielded 102 pairs of patients.The rate of postoperative complication was significantly lower(14%versus 32%,P=0.003),postoperative hospital stay significantly shorter(8 d versus 13 d,P=0.003),and postoperative pain on day 7 significantly lower(1.4 versus 2.3,P<0.001)in propensity-score matched patients who underwent LICR than in those who underwent OICR.Multivariate analysis showed that postoperative complications were significantly associated with preoperative treatment with biologics[odds ratio(OR):3.14,P=0.01]and an open approach to surgery(OR:2.86,P=0.005).The 5-and 10-year SRFS rates in the matched pairs were 92.9%and 83.3%,respectively,with SRFS rates not differing significantly between the OICR and LICR groups.The performance of additional procedures was an independent risk factor for surgical recurrence[hazard ratio(HR):3.28,P=0.02].CONCLUSION LICR yielded better short-term outcomes and postoperative recovery than OICR,with no differences in long-term outcomes.LICR may provide greater benefits in selected patients with primary CD.展开更多
Advances in diagnostics of inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD)and improved treatment strategies allowed the establishment of new therapeutic endpoints.Currently,it is desirable not only to cease clinical symptoms,but mai...Advances in diagnostics of inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD)and improved treatment strategies allowed the establishment of new therapeutic endpoints.Currently,it is desirable not only to cease clinical symptoms,but mainly to achieve endoscopic remission,a macroscopic normalization of the bowel mucosa.However,up to one-third of IBD patients in remission exhibit persisting microscopic activity of the disease.The evidence suggests a better predictive value of histology for the development of clinical complications such as clinical relapse,surgical intervention,need for therapy escalation,or development of colorectal cancer.The proper assessment of microscopic inflammatory activity thus became an important part of the overall histopathological evaluation of colonic biopsies and many histopathological scoring indices have been established.Nonetheless,a majority of them have not been validated and no scoring index became a part of the routine bioptic practice.This review summarizes a predictive value of microscopic disease activity assessment for the subsequent clinical course of IBD,describes the most commonly used scoring indices for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis,and comments on current limitations and unresolved issues.展开更多
Honour, one of the eternal themes in Shakespeare, is again in the spotlightin Henry IV Part I. In this play, the rivalry between Prince Hal and Hotspuremerges actually out of their cravings for the title of royal hono...Honour, one of the eternal themes in Shakespeare, is again in the spotlightin Henry IV Part I. In this play, the rivalry between Prince Hal and Hotspuremerges actually out of their cravings for the title of royal honour and valour.Hotspur appears to be formidable, courageous and energetic. He is exactly展开更多
AIM: To develop a risk model for Crohn’s disease (CD) based on homogeneous population.METHODS: In our study were included 160 CD patients and 209 healthy individuals from Slovenia. The association study wa...AIM: To develop a risk model for Crohn’s disease (CD) based on homogeneous population.METHODS: In our study were included 160 CD patients and 209 healthy individuals from Slovenia. The association study was performed for 112 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We generated genetic risk scores (GRS) based on the number of risk alleles using weighted additive model. Discriminatory accuracy was measured by area under ROC curve (AUC). For risk evaluation, we divided individuals according to positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR) of a test, with LR > 5 for high risk group and LR < 0.20 for low risk group.RESULTS: The highest accuracy, AUC of 0.78 was achieved with GRS combining 33 SNPs with optimal sensitivity and specificity of 75.0% and 72.7%, respectively. Individuals with the highest risk (GRS > 5.54) showed significantly increased odds of developing CD (OR = 26.65, 95%CI: 11.25-63.15) compared to the individuals with the lowest risk (GRS < 4.57) which is a considerably greater risk captured than in one SNP with the highest effect size (OR = 3.24). When more than 33 SNPs were included in GRS, discriminatory ability was not improved significantly; AUC of all 74 SNPs was 0.76.CONCLUSION: The authors proved the possibility of building accurate genetic risk score based on 33 risk variants on Slovenian CD patients which may serve as a screening tool in the targeted population.展开更多
Background: Diagnosis of Cushing’s Syndrome (CS) at the right time and with the right method is getting more important for the patients and clinicians due to high mortality rate. The most appropriate laboratory test ...Background: Diagnosis of Cushing’s Syndrome (CS) at the right time and with the right method is getting more important for the patients and clinicians due to high mortality rate. The most appropriate laboratory test will provide great benefits in terms of cost-effectiveness in the well-chosen group of patients. Selection of the high risk group is of crucial importance for the true diagnosis and treatment on time. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the worth of the midnight salivary cortisol and to establish other effective factors in the graduation of clinical suspect of CS. Material and Methods: 115 patients were evaluated in weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio, systolic, diastolic blood pressures, hirsutism, weight gain, purple-stria, plethore, buffalo-hump, supraclavicular fullness, temporal fat cushion, acnea, moonface, proximal muscle weakness, lower limb edema, ecchymosis, loss of libido, depression, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, allopecia of all patients were noted in the evaluation forms (23 findings). Patients were grouped according to clinical scores, low (16). Results: When we compare the groups in terms of midnight salivary cortisol, morning salivary cortisol after overnight dexamethasone suppression test, we found statistically significant relationship between the low and high clinical score groups, as well as between medium and high score groups (p: 0.0001). Urinary free cortisol was statistically significant only between low and high clinical score groups (p: 0.0001). Conclusion: This clinical scoring system which includes clinical signs and laboratory findings both, can be used for selection of the high risk group.展开更多
AIM To develop a new scoring system, nutech functional scores(NFS) for assessing the patients with spinal cord injury(SCI).METHODS The conventional scale, American Spinal Injury Association's(ASIA) impairment scal...AIM To develop a new scoring system, nutech functional scores(NFS) for assessing the patients with spinal cord injury(SCI).METHODS The conventional scale, American Spinal Injury Association's(ASIA) impairment scale is a measure which precisely describes the severity of the SCI.However, it has various limitations which lead to incomplete assessment of SCI patients.We have developed a 63 point scoring system, i.e., NFS for patients suffering with SCI.A list of symptoms either common or rare that were found to be associated with SCI was recorded for each patient.On the basis of these lists, we have developed NFS.RESULTS These lists served as a base to prepare NFS, a 63 point positional(each symptom is sub-graded and get points based on position) and directional(moves in direction BAD → GOOD) scoring system.For non-progressive diseases, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 denote worst, bad, moderate, good and best(normal), respectively.NFS for SCI has been divided into different groups based on the affected part of the body being assessed, i.e., motor assessment(shoulders, elbow, wrist, fingers-grasp, fingers-release, hip, knee, ankle and toe), sensory assessment, autonomic assessment, bed sore assessment and general assessment.As probability based studies required a range of(-1, 1) or at least the range of(0, 1) to be useful for real world analysis, the grades were converted to respective numeric values.CONCLUSION NFS can be considered as a unique tool to assess the improvement in patients with SCI as it overcomes the limitations of ASIA impairment scale.展开更多
The global economic crisis that blew up at the end of 2006 in the United States has had extremely negative impacts on the social, political, and economic fields. The countries operating in the most affected macro area...The global economic crisis that blew up at the end of 2006 in the United States has had extremely negative impacts on the social, political, and economic fields. The countries operating in the most affected macro areas---the United States and Europe---have put through the wringer the domestic trade relationships as well as the international ones, by injecting a chain reaction into the global economic scenario. However, there are countries that seem to be free from the economic and financial contagion overflowing over the past years, as they are moved by an "invincible projection toward the growth". The present study aims to analyze how much the main emerging market of China has been effectively involved in this vicious circle. More specifically, the study intends to propose an empirical analysis on the real connection between the macroecnnomic data and the strong structure of the Chinese publicly listed companies. This paper investigates the prediction of failure among 3,220 Chinese publicly traded companies (listed companies) during the global crisis period. By analysing the financial accounting data over the past seven years (2008 to 2014), the emerging market score (EMS) has been adopted in order to investigate the impact of the crisis on financial distress in the main emerging market of China. The results confirm the following hypotheses: On one hand, the great majority of companies have not been suffering the downturn, since 71.93% of the entire samples present no risk of financial distress during the global crisis; on the other hand, only 6.18% have a reasonable risk of financial distress.展开更多
Background: Some researchers have suggested that when Naegle’s rule (NR) and Dubowitz score (DS) are combined, it could out-perform obstetric ultrasound scan (USS). Others still believe that obstetric USS alone is st...Background: Some researchers have suggested that when Naegle’s rule (NR) and Dubowitz score (DS) are combined, it could out-perform obstetric ultrasound scan (USS). Others still believe that obstetric USS alone is still effective relative to the combination of NR rule and DS in assessing the gestational age (GA) of babies. Objectives: To determine and compare the GA of babies using obstetric USS, NR and DS;and to provide relevant public health information on obstetric USS in the 21st century. Methods: Subjects were selected using systematic random sampling and the GA of babies was determined using obstetric USS, NR, and DS. Statistical package for social science (SPSS) statistical software version 16, Illinois, Chicago USA was used for all data analysis. Results: Eightyfive mother-baby pairs were studied. Forty-four babies (52%) were males and 41 (48%) females. Sixty four (75%) were term with a mean (SD) BW of 3.02 (0.59) at 95%CI (2.89 -?3.14) kg. The overall mean GA of the babies was 38.49 (2.89) at 95%CI (38.14 -?38.85) weeks. The mean GA using obstetric USS, NR and DS were 38.52 (1.98) at 95%CI (38.14 -?38.99), 38.09 (4.13) at 95%CI (37.20-?38.99) and 38.82 (2.02) at 95%CI (38.39 -?39.26), but comparison of these means was not significant (p = 0.256). Combined mean GA by NR and DS was 38.46 (3.26) at 95%CI (37.96 -?38.95). Comparing this mean with mean GA obtained by obstetric USS was also not significant (p = 0.885). Conclusion: The GA assessments by Obstetric USS, NR and DS were all reliable, and Obstetric USS performed effectively relative to combined NR and DS.展开更多
The Wadi 'Araba peace treaty which Jordan's King Hussein signed with Israel on October 26, 1994 became a target of criticism ever since it became known to the Jordanian public. Intense pressure was exerted on the Jo...The Wadi 'Araba peace treaty which Jordan's King Hussein signed with Israel on October 26, 1994 became a target of criticism ever since it became known to the Jordanian public. Intense pressure was exerted on the Jordanian government to revoke the treaty even before its signature. The opposition to it reached its peak in the following year, when the tension in the holy sites in Jerusalem mounted. Given the persistence of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the fact that the Palestinian issue remained unresolved, it was clear that the King was aware of the potential danger of signing a peace accord with Israel, and that he was prepared to face criticism not only from the Arab states but also from nationalists, Islamists and Leftists all of whom disapproved of his decision. Yet the King remained undeterred and boldly carried on the discussions that culminated in the peace treaty's signature. Bearing in mind the fact the Egypt was the first country to sign a peace treaty with Israel it seemed as if there was little risk involved in the normalization process, and that the opposition to the treaty would soon subside. As it turned out, however, the pressure to abrogate it continues to mount.展开更多
In this paper, the author intends to parallelize Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court with Foucault's theorizations about heterotopia, or heterotopology. For Foucault, heterotopia is a paradox b...In this paper, the author intends to parallelize Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court with Foucault's theorizations about heterotopia, or heterotopology. For Foucault, heterotopia is a paradox because it is paces that are both real and placeless. Twain's novel is a time travel story, which juxtaposes the temporalities of the 6th and 19th centuries. In the story, Hank, the hero, is allowed access to Camelot, King Arthur's court. Above all, he has introduced to it quite a few elements of modem technology and civilization. So far Twain seems to have complied with Foucault's heterotopology. That is, there is a textual heterotopia created in his novel. However, the last principle of Foucault's heterotopology states that a heterotopia can be comparable to a utopia because of its contrastive function. A typical time travel story has the same contrastive function as well. That is, in either case there should be a utopia, a dystopia, or a mixture of them. However, Twain's novel fails to contrast the 6th century with the 19th century simply because the heterotopia Hank has created leaps from a utopia to a dystopia. It is at this point where Twain has deviated from heterotopology. The shifting nature of this heterotopia not only disables its contrastive mechanism but also jeopardizes its thematic clarity. Most of all, it indicates that Twain has a considerably ambivalent attitude towards the industrial civilization, and that as a consequence, he is indecisive about the direction of this novel.展开更多
Mean King’s problem is formulated as a retrodiction problem among noncommutative observables. In this paper, we reformulate Mean King’s problem using Shannon’s entropy as a first step of introducing quantum uncerta...Mean King’s problem is formulated as a retrodiction problem among noncommutative observables. In this paper, we reformulate Mean King’s problem using Shannon’s entropy as a first step of introducing quantum uncertainty relation with delayed classical information. As a result, we give informational and statistical meanings to the estimation on Mean King problem. As its application, we give an alternative proof of nonexistence of solutions of Mean King’s problem for qubit system without using entanglement.展开更多
World famous colour TVs,such asSony,National and Toshiba,usedto monopolize China’s large-screencolour TV market.But recently the KingBrand colour TV made by the TCL ElectronicsGroup has begun to challenge them.In1995...World famous colour TVs,such asSony,National and Toshiba,usedto monopolize China’s large-screencolour TV market.But recently the KingBrand colour TV made by the TCL ElectronicsGroup has begun to challenge them.In1995,the TCL King Brand colour TV notonly ranked first for its sales volume on theChinese market among the domestically-produced TVs of its kind,but also展开更多
This paper analyzes Shakespeare’s different treatment of the male and female antagonists Edmond and Goneril in King Lear from their entrance,actions and ending,aiming at exploring his attitude toward women through th...This paper analyzes Shakespeare’s different treatment of the male and female antagonists Edmond and Goneril in King Lear from their entrance,actions and ending,aiming at exploring his attitude toward women through the comparative studies of these two equally evil characters with different gender.Through the analysis,the author found that Shakespeare’s treatment of women is different from that of men.He is less tolerant and mercy to women than to men,from which a conclusion can be drawn that Shakespeare cannot totally get rid of the traditional conceptions that women is inferior than men even though he is a humanist.展开更多
文摘Based on the framework of Halliday's theory of interpersonal function, this study intends to analyze the dialogues in the film The King's Speech from the three aspects of mood type, modal operator and vocative address by adopting both quantitative and qualitative methods. The significances of successful realizations of interpersonal function to the role characterization, plot development and thematic construction in the film are also demonstrated, thus deepening the understanding and appreciation of the film.
文摘BACKGROUND Acute pancreatitis(AP)is a common surgical condition,with severe AP(SAP)potentially lethal.Many prognostic indices,including;acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II score(APACHE II),bedside index of severity in acute pancreatitis(BISAP),Glasgow score,harmless acute pancreatitis score(HAPS),Ranson’s score,and sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA)evaluate AP severity and predict mortality.AIM To evaluate these indices'utility in predicting severity,intensive care unit(ICU)admission,and mortality.METHODS A retrospective analysis of 653 patients with AP from July 2009 to September 2016 was performed.The demographic,clinical profile,and patient outcomes were collected.SAP was defined as per the revised Atlanta classification.Values for APACHE II score,BISAP,HAPS,and SOFA within 24 h of admission were retrospectively obtained based on laboratory results and patient evaluation recorded on a secure hospital-based online electronic platform.Data with<10%missing data was imputed via mean substitution.Other patient information such as demographics,disease etiology,and patient outcomes were also derived from electronic medical records.RESULTS The mean age was 58.7±17.5 years,with 58.7%males.Gallstones(n=404,61.9%),alcohol(n=38,5.8%),and hypertriglyceridemia(n=19,2.9%)were more common aetiologies.81(12.4%)patients developed SAP,20(3.1%)required ICU admission,and 12(1.8%)deaths were attributed to SAP.Ranson’s score and APACHE-II demonstrated the highest sensitivity in predicting SAP(92.6%,80.2%respectively),ICU admission(100%),and mortality(100%).While SOFA and BISAP demonstrated lowest sensitivity in predicting SAP(13.6%,24.7%respectively),ICU admission(40.0%,25.0%respectively)and mortality(50.0%,25.5%respectively).However,SOFA demonstrated the highest specificity in predicting SAP(99.7%),ICU admission(99.2%),and mortality(98.9%).SOFA demonstrated the highest positive predictive value,positive likelihood ratio,diagnostic odds ratio,and overall accuracy in predicting SAP,ICU admission,and mortality.SOFA and Ranson’s score demonstrated the highest area under receiver-operator curves at 48 h in predicting SAP(0.966,0.857 respectively),ICU admission(0.943,0.946 respectively),and mortality(0.968,0.917 respectively).CONCLUSION The SOFA and 48-h Ranson’s scores accurately predict severity,ICU admission,and mortality in AP,with more favorable statistics for the SOFA score.
基金Supported by the Scientific and Technological Innovation Joint Capital Projects of Fujian Province,China,No.2016Y9031the Construction Project of Fujian Province Minimally Invasive Medical Center,No.[2017]171+2 种基金the Second-batch Special Support Funds for Fujian Province Innovation and Entrepreneurship Talents,No.2016B013Science and Technology Innovation Joint Fund Project of Fujian Province,No.2017Y9004the Special Fund for Clinical Research of the Wu Jieping Medical Foundation,No.320.6750.17511
文摘BACKGROUND Robotic surgery has been considered to be significantly better than laparoscopic surgery for complicated procedures.AIM To explore the short-term effect of robotic and laparoscopic spleen-preserving splenic hilar lymphadenectomy(SPSHL)for advanced gastric cancer(GC)by Huang’s three-step maneuver.METHODS A total of 643 patients who underwent SPSHL were recruited from April 2012 to July 2017,including 35 patients who underwent robotic SPSHL(RSPSHL)and 608 who underwent laparoscopic SPSHL(LSPSHL).One-to-four propensity score matching was used to analyze the differences in clinical data between patients who underwent robotic SPSHL and those who underwent laparoscopic SPSHL.RESULTS In all,175 patients were matched,including 35 patients who underwent RSPSHL and 140 who underwent LSPSHL.After matching,there were no significant differences detected in the baseline characteristics between the two groups.Significant differences in total operative time,estimated blood loss(EBL),splenic hilar blood loss(SHBL),splenic hilar dissection time(SHDT),and splenic trunk dissection time were evident between these groups(P<0.05).Furthermore,no significant differences were observed between the two groups in the overall noncompliance rate of lymph node(LN)dissection(62.9%vs 60%,P=0.757),number of retrieved No.10 LNs(3.1±1.4 vs 3.3±2.5,P=0.650),total number of examined LNs(37.8±13.1 vs 40.6±13.6,P=0.274),and postoperative complications(14.3%vs 17.9%,P=0.616).A stratified analysis that divided the patients receiving RSPSHL into an early group(EG)and a late group(LG)revealed that the LG experienced obvious improvements in SHDT and length of stay compared with the EG(P<0.05).Logistic regression showed that robotic surgery was a significantly protective factor against both SHBL and SHDT(P<0.05).CONCLUSION RSPSHL is safe and feasible,especially after overcoming the early learning curve,as this procedure results in a radical curative effect equivalent to that of LSPSHL.
文摘BACKGROUND Laparoscopic ileocolic resection(LICR)is the preferred surgical approach for primary ileocolic Crohn’s disease(CD)because it has greater recovery benefits than open ICR(OICR).AIM To compare short-and long-term outcomes in patients who underwent LICR and OICR.METHODS Patients who underwent ICR for primary CD from 2006 to 2017 at a single tertiary center specializing in CD were included.Patients who underwent LICR and OICR were subjected to propensity-score matching analysis.Patients were propensityscore matched 1:1 by factors potentially associated with 30-d perioperative morbidity.These included demographic characteristics and disease-and treatment-related variables.Factors were compared using univariate and multivariate analyses.Long-term surgical recurrence-free survival(SRFS)in the two groups was determined by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test.RESULTS During the study period,348 patients underwent ICR,211 by the open approach and 137 laparoscopically.Propensity-score matching yielded 102 pairs of patients.The rate of postoperative complication was significantly lower(14%versus 32%,P=0.003),postoperative hospital stay significantly shorter(8 d versus 13 d,P=0.003),and postoperative pain on day 7 significantly lower(1.4 versus 2.3,P<0.001)in propensity-score matched patients who underwent LICR than in those who underwent OICR.Multivariate analysis showed that postoperative complications were significantly associated with preoperative treatment with biologics[odds ratio(OR):3.14,P=0.01]and an open approach to surgery(OR:2.86,P=0.005).The 5-and 10-year SRFS rates in the matched pairs were 92.9%and 83.3%,respectively,with SRFS rates not differing significantly between the OICR and LICR groups.The performance of additional procedures was an independent risk factor for surgical recurrence[hazard ratio(HR):3.28,P=0.02].CONCLUSION LICR yielded better short-term outcomes and postoperative recovery than OICR,with no differences in long-term outcomes.LICR may provide greater benefits in selected patients with primary CD.
基金Supported by Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic,No. NV18-09-00493 and No. NU21J-06-00027
文摘Advances in diagnostics of inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD)and improved treatment strategies allowed the establishment of new therapeutic endpoints.Currently,it is desirable not only to cease clinical symptoms,but mainly to achieve endoscopic remission,a macroscopic normalization of the bowel mucosa.However,up to one-third of IBD patients in remission exhibit persisting microscopic activity of the disease.The evidence suggests a better predictive value of histology for the development of clinical complications such as clinical relapse,surgical intervention,need for therapy escalation,or development of colorectal cancer.The proper assessment of microscopic inflammatory activity thus became an important part of the overall histopathological evaluation of colonic biopsies and many histopathological scoring indices have been established.Nonetheless,a majority of them have not been validated and no scoring index became a part of the routine bioptic practice.This review summarizes a predictive value of microscopic disease activity assessment for the subsequent clinical course of IBD,describes the most commonly used scoring indices for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis,and comments on current limitations and unresolved issues.
文摘Honour, one of the eternal themes in Shakespeare, is again in the spotlightin Henry IV Part I. In this play, the rivalry between Prince Hal and Hotspuremerges actually out of their cravings for the title of royal honour and valour.Hotspur appears to be formidable, courageous and energetic. He is exactly
文摘AIM: To develop a risk model for Crohn’s disease (CD) based on homogeneous population.METHODS: In our study were included 160 CD patients and 209 healthy individuals from Slovenia. The association study was performed for 112 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We generated genetic risk scores (GRS) based on the number of risk alleles using weighted additive model. Discriminatory accuracy was measured by area under ROC curve (AUC). For risk evaluation, we divided individuals according to positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR) of a test, with LR > 5 for high risk group and LR < 0.20 for low risk group.RESULTS: The highest accuracy, AUC of 0.78 was achieved with GRS combining 33 SNPs with optimal sensitivity and specificity of 75.0% and 72.7%, respectively. Individuals with the highest risk (GRS > 5.54) showed significantly increased odds of developing CD (OR = 26.65, 95%CI: 11.25-63.15) compared to the individuals with the lowest risk (GRS < 4.57) which is a considerably greater risk captured than in one SNP with the highest effect size (OR = 3.24). When more than 33 SNPs were included in GRS, discriminatory ability was not improved significantly; AUC of all 74 SNPs was 0.76.CONCLUSION: The authors proved the possibility of building accurate genetic risk score based on 33 risk variants on Slovenian CD patients which may serve as a screening tool in the targeted population.
文摘Background: Diagnosis of Cushing’s Syndrome (CS) at the right time and with the right method is getting more important for the patients and clinicians due to high mortality rate. The most appropriate laboratory test will provide great benefits in terms of cost-effectiveness in the well-chosen group of patients. Selection of the high risk group is of crucial importance for the true diagnosis and treatment on time. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the worth of the midnight salivary cortisol and to establish other effective factors in the graduation of clinical suspect of CS. Material and Methods: 115 patients were evaluated in weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio, systolic, diastolic blood pressures, hirsutism, weight gain, purple-stria, plethore, buffalo-hump, supraclavicular fullness, temporal fat cushion, acnea, moonface, proximal muscle weakness, lower limb edema, ecchymosis, loss of libido, depression, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, allopecia of all patients were noted in the evaluation forms (23 findings). Patients were grouped according to clinical scores, low (16). Results: When we compare the groups in terms of midnight salivary cortisol, morning salivary cortisol after overnight dexamethasone suppression test, we found statistically significant relationship between the low and high clinical score groups, as well as between medium and high score groups (p: 0.0001). Urinary free cortisol was statistically significant only between low and high clinical score groups (p: 0.0001). Conclusion: This clinical scoring system which includes clinical signs and laboratory findings both, can be used for selection of the high risk group.
文摘AIM To develop a new scoring system, nutech functional scores(NFS) for assessing the patients with spinal cord injury(SCI).METHODS The conventional scale, American Spinal Injury Association's(ASIA) impairment scale is a measure which precisely describes the severity of the SCI.However, it has various limitations which lead to incomplete assessment of SCI patients.We have developed a 63 point scoring system, i.e., NFS for patients suffering with SCI.A list of symptoms either common or rare that were found to be associated with SCI was recorded for each patient.On the basis of these lists, we have developed NFS.RESULTS These lists served as a base to prepare NFS, a 63 point positional(each symptom is sub-graded and get points based on position) and directional(moves in direction BAD → GOOD) scoring system.For non-progressive diseases, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 denote worst, bad, moderate, good and best(normal), respectively.NFS for SCI has been divided into different groups based on the affected part of the body being assessed, i.e., motor assessment(shoulders, elbow, wrist, fingers-grasp, fingers-release, hip, knee, ankle and toe), sensory assessment, autonomic assessment, bed sore assessment and general assessment.As probability based studies required a range of(-1, 1) or at least the range of(0, 1) to be useful for real world analysis, the grades were converted to respective numeric values.CONCLUSION NFS can be considered as a unique tool to assess the improvement in patients with SCI as it overcomes the limitations of ASIA impairment scale.
文摘The global economic crisis that blew up at the end of 2006 in the United States has had extremely negative impacts on the social, political, and economic fields. The countries operating in the most affected macro areas---the United States and Europe---have put through the wringer the domestic trade relationships as well as the international ones, by injecting a chain reaction into the global economic scenario. However, there are countries that seem to be free from the economic and financial contagion overflowing over the past years, as they are moved by an "invincible projection toward the growth". The present study aims to analyze how much the main emerging market of China has been effectively involved in this vicious circle. More specifically, the study intends to propose an empirical analysis on the real connection between the macroecnnomic data and the strong structure of the Chinese publicly listed companies. This paper investigates the prediction of failure among 3,220 Chinese publicly traded companies (listed companies) during the global crisis period. By analysing the financial accounting data over the past seven years (2008 to 2014), the emerging market score (EMS) has been adopted in order to investigate the impact of the crisis on financial distress in the main emerging market of China. The results confirm the following hypotheses: On one hand, the great majority of companies have not been suffering the downturn, since 71.93% of the entire samples present no risk of financial distress during the global crisis; on the other hand, only 6.18% have a reasonable risk of financial distress.
文摘Background: Some researchers have suggested that when Naegle’s rule (NR) and Dubowitz score (DS) are combined, it could out-perform obstetric ultrasound scan (USS). Others still believe that obstetric USS alone is still effective relative to the combination of NR rule and DS in assessing the gestational age (GA) of babies. Objectives: To determine and compare the GA of babies using obstetric USS, NR and DS;and to provide relevant public health information on obstetric USS in the 21st century. Methods: Subjects were selected using systematic random sampling and the GA of babies was determined using obstetric USS, NR, and DS. Statistical package for social science (SPSS) statistical software version 16, Illinois, Chicago USA was used for all data analysis. Results: Eightyfive mother-baby pairs were studied. Forty-four babies (52%) were males and 41 (48%) females. Sixty four (75%) were term with a mean (SD) BW of 3.02 (0.59) at 95%CI (2.89 -?3.14) kg. The overall mean GA of the babies was 38.49 (2.89) at 95%CI (38.14 -?38.85) weeks. The mean GA using obstetric USS, NR and DS were 38.52 (1.98) at 95%CI (38.14 -?38.99), 38.09 (4.13) at 95%CI (37.20-?38.99) and 38.82 (2.02) at 95%CI (38.39 -?39.26), but comparison of these means was not significant (p = 0.256). Combined mean GA by NR and DS was 38.46 (3.26) at 95%CI (37.96 -?38.95). Comparing this mean with mean GA obtained by obstetric USS was also not significant (p = 0.885). Conclusion: The GA assessments by Obstetric USS, NR and DS were all reliable, and Obstetric USS performed effectively relative to combined NR and DS.
文摘The Wadi 'Araba peace treaty which Jordan's King Hussein signed with Israel on October 26, 1994 became a target of criticism ever since it became known to the Jordanian public. Intense pressure was exerted on the Jordanian government to revoke the treaty even before its signature. The opposition to it reached its peak in the following year, when the tension in the holy sites in Jerusalem mounted. Given the persistence of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the fact that the Palestinian issue remained unresolved, it was clear that the King was aware of the potential danger of signing a peace accord with Israel, and that he was prepared to face criticism not only from the Arab states but also from nationalists, Islamists and Leftists all of whom disapproved of his decision. Yet the King remained undeterred and boldly carried on the discussions that culminated in the peace treaty's signature. Bearing in mind the fact the Egypt was the first country to sign a peace treaty with Israel it seemed as if there was little risk involved in the normalization process, and that the opposition to the treaty would soon subside. As it turned out, however, the pressure to abrogate it continues to mount.
文摘In this paper, the author intends to parallelize Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court with Foucault's theorizations about heterotopia, or heterotopology. For Foucault, heterotopia is a paradox because it is paces that are both real and placeless. Twain's novel is a time travel story, which juxtaposes the temporalities of the 6th and 19th centuries. In the story, Hank, the hero, is allowed access to Camelot, King Arthur's court. Above all, he has introduced to it quite a few elements of modem technology and civilization. So far Twain seems to have complied with Foucault's heterotopology. That is, there is a textual heterotopia created in his novel. However, the last principle of Foucault's heterotopology states that a heterotopia can be comparable to a utopia because of its contrastive function. A typical time travel story has the same contrastive function as well. That is, in either case there should be a utopia, a dystopia, or a mixture of them. However, Twain's novel fails to contrast the 6th century with the 19th century simply because the heterotopia Hank has created leaps from a utopia to a dystopia. It is at this point where Twain has deviated from heterotopology. The shifting nature of this heterotopia not only disables its contrastive mechanism but also jeopardizes its thematic clarity. Most of all, it indicates that Twain has a considerably ambivalent attitude towards the industrial civilization, and that as a consequence, he is indecisive about the direction of this novel.
文摘Mean King’s problem is formulated as a retrodiction problem among noncommutative observables. In this paper, we reformulate Mean King’s problem using Shannon’s entropy as a first step of introducing quantum uncertainty relation with delayed classical information. As a result, we give informational and statistical meanings to the estimation on Mean King problem. As its application, we give an alternative proof of nonexistence of solutions of Mean King’s problem for qubit system without using entanglement.
文摘World famous colour TVs,such asSony,National and Toshiba,usedto monopolize China’s large-screencolour TV market.But recently the KingBrand colour TV made by the TCL ElectronicsGroup has begun to challenge them.In1995,the TCL King Brand colour TV notonly ranked first for its sales volume on theChinese market among the domestically-produced TVs of its kind,but also
文摘This paper analyzes Shakespeare’s different treatment of the male and female antagonists Edmond and Goneril in King Lear from their entrance,actions and ending,aiming at exploring his attitude toward women through the comparative studies of these two equally evil characters with different gender.Through the analysis,the author found that Shakespeare’s treatment of women is different from that of men.He is less tolerant and mercy to women than to men,from which a conclusion can be drawn that Shakespeare cannot totally get rid of the traditional conceptions that women is inferior than men even though he is a humanist.