Diagnostic challenges from conflicting results of tests and imaging

Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of clinical care but accurate diagnosis is not easily reached in some cases.In rare instances,even a sophisticated multidisciplinary team at an academic medical center cannot reliably reach an accurate diagnosis after extensive testing and imaging,and has to wait until histological diagnosis or even autopsy results are available.The underlying reason of challenging diagnoses is mostly conflicting data from history,tests,and imaging that point to different diagnoses.In this issue of World Journal of Clinical Cases,Huffaker et al reported such a challenging case of a tricuspid mass in a patient with Li-Fraumeni syndrome.The case by Huffaker et al powerfully illustrates the occasional diagnostic challenges inherent in our current diagnostic approach and the current technology.Clinicians should realize that in rare situations,agnosticism in diagnosis is unavoidable but a treatment has to be initiated so long as the principle of primum non nocere is upheld.

Vulvectomy: Indications and Results in the General Surgery Department of the Ignace Deen Chu Hospital in Conakry

Introduction: The aim of this study was to report the indications and evaluate the results of vulvectomy in the general surgery department of Ignace Deen Hospital, CHU Conakry. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study, conducted over a period of five (05) years from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2022, in the general surgery department of Ignace Deen Hospital, CHU Conakry. We included in our study all patient records in whom vulvectomy was performed. Results: We recorded 15 cases of vulvectomy out of 453 perineal surgeries, i.e. 3.31%, with a mean age of 43.56 years and extremes of 35 and 69 years. Vulvar cancer was the most common diagnosis (46.67%), followed by Buschke-Lowenstein (33.33%) and anal canal cancer extending to the vulva (20%). Six patients had undergone biopsy (40%). Vulvectomy with lymph node dissection was performed in only 9 patients (60%), and all surgical specimens were sent to anatomical pathology (100%). Conclusion: Vulvectomy is a surgical technique most often indicated for the treatment of vulvar cancer.

Management Results and Financial Status of Rural Collective Economy under the Background of Rural Revitalization

Based on the analysis of financial statements,the performance and problems of rural collective economic organizations in their business activities were analyzed.It is believed that rural collective economy was developing continuously in a good way,with strong debt paying ability,but the operation ability and management efficiency need to be further improved.The operation was too conservative,and the asset utilization efficiency and profitability were weak.There were many unnecessary liabilities,and they developed mainly relying on their own accumulation.Therefore,it is proposed to crack the"talent dilemma"of rural collective economic operation and management,straighten out and clarify the relationship between rural collective economic organizations and villagers self-governing organizations,correctly handle the relationship between collective accumulation and member distribution,adhere to the financial input of blood replenishment and transfusion,and make liabilities reasonable according to the management development.

Analysis of Toxicological Test Results of 580 Detergents

To evaluate the safety of detergents,the toxicological test results of 580 collected detergents were analyzed.The results showed that,in the acute oral toxicity test,94.4%and 5.6%of the samples were classified as non-toxic and toxic respectively.In skin irritation test,95.1%of the samples were mild irritation or below,and 4.9%were moderate irritation or above.In the vaginal mucosa irritation test,79.0%of the samples were very mild irritation or below,while 21.0%were mild irritation or above.In the acute inhalation toxicity test,the proportion of the samples classified as actually non-toxic and toxic were 87.9%and 12.1%respectively.In the eye irritation test,95.7%of the samples belonged to mild irritation or below,and 4.3%of the samples belonged to moderate irritation or above.The products at risk in category A,B and C products account for 6.3%,7.7%and 14.2%respectively.Of the 580 tested samples,90.9%were relatively safe,while 9.1%were at risk.These data showed that most of the tested samples meet the safety requirements for use.

Results and Application of Soil and Water Conservation Monitoring in the Yellow River Basin

Since water and soil conservation monitoring in the Yellow River Basin entered a new stage at the end of the 20th century,the monitoring scope has been expanding,the monitoring accuracy has been improving,the monitoring content and indicators have been increasing,and the monitoring technology and methods have been improving.This paper mainly analyzes the status of soil and water conservation monitoring in the Yellow River Basin,as well as the construction of the monitoring system and related research,in order to provide a reference for watershed management and development and the scientific research of water and soil conservation.

Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty: Indications and Results, a Preliminary Senegalese Experience from the Neurosurgery Department of the CHNU of Fann

Introduction: Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are percutaneous techniques that consist in injecting an acrylic cement into the body of a pathological vertebra. This work aims to report the experience the of Fann’s neurosurgery department in treating certain spinal pathologies by vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. Methods: During a 3-year period from July 1, 2019 to July 31, 2022, we conducted a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study, including patients who underwent vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty for dorsolumbar spinal pathology. Results: The mean age of the 13 patients in our study was 51.61 years. Female gender was predominant in 62% (n = 8). The context of spontaneous onset was found in six patients. Nine patients had a VAS (visual analogue scale) ≥ 8 (69.23%). On clinical examination, all patients had a syndrome without neurological deficits. 84.61% of patients had a CT scan (n = 11). The dorsolumbar hinge was most affected with 53.85% of cases. Seven patients had a vertebral compression of between 25% and. The average degree of kyphosis was 8˚ and seven patients had a degree of kyphosis ≥ 10˚. Tumour aetiology accounted for 46.15% of cases. Kyphoplasty was performed in 61.53% (n = 9) of the cases and vertebroplasty was performed in 38.47% (n = 4) of the patients. Kyphoplasty was associated with biopsy in two cases and with osteosynthesis in one patient. Vertebroplasty was always associated with a biopsy. The evolution was favourable with a significant reduction in pain and vertebral kyphosis. The mean VAS decreased from 8.15 to 0.69 three months after treatment and the mean kyphosis decreased from 8˚ to 2˚. Conclusion: Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty as percutaneous techniques allow consolidation of the vertebral body and pain relief. Kyphoplasty alone not only reduces pain but also restores the height of the compacted vertebral body.

GoPubMed与Web of Knowledge分析工具Analyze Results的比较研究

GoPubMed是基于本体论的生物医学文献分析工具,它可以对检索到的PubMed文献进行全方位的统计分析,Web of Knowlegde平台的Analyze Results分析功能也可对检索结果进行统计分析。对这2种文献分析工具特点进行对比分析。

ISI Web of Knowledge新增分析工具Results Analysis探讨——BIOSIS Previews检索实践

针对检索结果的信息分析和信息挖掘的分析工具Results Analysis是ISI Web of Knowledge于2004年新增的服务功能。以BIOSIS Previews为检索实例,详细探讨Results Analysis分析工具的使用方法和功能,并提出改进的建议。

ISI Web of Science的Results Analysis功能与使用

详细介绍了美国Web of Science数据库的发展以及该数据库新推出的Results Analysis功能和使用方法。

Advancing immunosuppression in liver transplantation: A narrative review

Immunosuppression is essential to ensure recipient and graft survivals after liver transplantation(LT). However, our understanding and management of the immune system remain suboptimal. Current immunosuppressive therapy cannot selectively inhibit the graft-specific immune response and entails a significant risk of serious side effects, i.e., among others, de novo cancers, infections, cardiovascular events, renal failure, metabolic syndrome, and late graft fibrosis, with progressive loss of graft function. Pharmacological research, aimed to develop alternative immunosuppressive agents in LT, is behind other solidorgan transplantation subspecialties, and, therefore, the development of new compounds and strategies should get priority in LT. The research trajectories cover mechanisms to induce T-cell exhaustion, to inhibit co-stimulation, to mitigate non-antigen-specific inflammatory response, and, lastly, to minimize the development and action of donor-specific antibodies. Moreover, while cellular modulation techniques are complex, active research is underway to foster the action of T-regulatory cells, to induce tolerogenic dendritic cells, and to promote the function of B-regulatory cells. We herein discuss current lines of research in clinical immunosuppression, particularly focusing on possible applications in the LT setting.

Risk stratification in gastric cancer lung metastasis: Utilizing an overall survival nomogram and comparing it with previous staging

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is prevalent and aggressive,especially when patients have distant lung metastases,which often places patients into advanced stages.By identifying prognostic variables for lung metastasis in GC patients,it may be po-ssible to construct a good prediction model for both overall survival(OS)and the cumulative incidence prediction(CIP)plot of the tumour.AIM To investigate the predictors of GC with lung metastasis(GCLM)to produce nomograms for OS and generate CIP by using cancer-specific survival(CSS)data.METHODS Data from January 2000 to December 2020 involving 1652 patients with GCLM were obtained from the Surveillance,epidemiology,and end results program database.The major observational endpoint was OS;hence,patients were se-parated into training and validation groups.Correlation analysis determined va-rious connections.Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses validated the independent predictive factors.Nomogram distinction and calibration were performed with the time-dependent area under the curve(AUC)and calibration curves.To evaluate the accuracy and clinical usefulness of the nomograms,decision curve analysis(DCA)was performed.The clinical utility of the novel prognostic model was compared to that of the 7th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer(AJCC)staging system by utilizing Net Reclassification Improvement(NRI)and Integrated Discrimination Improvement(IDI).Finally,the OS prognostic model and Cox-AJCC risk stratification model modified for the AJCC system were compared.RESULTS For the purpose of creating the OS nomogram,a CIP plot based on CSS was generated.Cox multivariate regression analysis identified eleven significant prognostic factors(P<0.05)related to liver metastasis,bone metastasis,primary site,surgery,regional surgery,treatment sequence,chemotherapy,radiotherapy,positive lymph node count,N staging,and time from diagnosis to treatment.It was clear from the DCA(net benefit>0),time-de-pendent ROC curve(training/validation set AUC>0.7),and calibration curve(reliability slope closer to 45 degrees)results that the OS nomogram demonstrated a high level of predictive efficiency.The OS prediction model(New Model AUC=0.83)also performed much better than the old Cox-AJCC model(AUC difference between the new model and the old model greater than 0)in terms of risk stratification(P<0.0001)and verification using the IDI and NRI.CONCLUSION The OS nomogram for GCLM successfully predicts 1-and 3-year OS.Moreover,this approach can help to ap-propriately classify patients into high-risk and low-risk groups,thereby guiding treatment.

Mortality rate after total knee arthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty in patients with a history of liver transplant

In this editorial I comment on the article by Ahmed et al published in a recent issue of the World J Orthop 2023;14:784-790.It is well known that patients who have undergone a liver transplant(LT)may need to have a total hip arthroplasty(THA)or total knee arthroplasty(TKA)implanted.Ahmed et al stated that the mortality rate in these patients was similar to the one of the general population.However,there are three articles previously published that found higher mortality in LT patients who experienced THA/TKA than in the general population(individuals without LT).Therefore,in this Editorial I would like to point out that there is controversy in the literature regarding whether LT patients undergoing THA/TKA have higher mortality than the general population.Therefore,future research should attempt to resolve this controversy.

Analysis of cancer-specific survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: A evidence-based medicine study

BACKGROUND Metastatic colorectal cancer(mCRC)is a common malignancy whose treatment has been a clinical challenge.Cancer-specific survival(CSS)plays a crucial role in assessing patient prognosis and treatment outcomes.However,there is still li-mited research on the factors affecting CSS in mCRC patients and their corre-lation.AIM To predict CSS,we developed a new nomogram model and risk grading system to classify risk levels in patients with mCRC.METHODS Data were extracted from the United States Surveillance,Epidemiology,and End Results database from 2018 to 2023.All eligible patients were randomly divided into a training cohort and a validation cohort.The Cox proportional hazards model was used to investigate the independent risk factors for CSS.A new nomogram model was developed to predict CSS and was evaluated through internal and external validation.RESULTS A multivariate Cox proportional risk model was used to identify independent risk factors for CSS.Then,new CSS columns were developed based on these factors.The consistency index(C-index)of the histogram was 0.718(95%CI:0.712-0.725),and that of the validation cohort was 0.722(95%CI:0.711-0.732),indicating good discrimination ability and better performance than tumor-node-metastasis staging(C-index:0.712-0.732).For the training set,0.533,95%CI:0.525-0.540;for the verification set,0.524,95%CI:0.513-0.535.The calibration map and clinical decision curve showed good agreement and good potential clinical validity.The risk grading system divided all patients into three groups,and the Kaplan-Meier curve showed good stratification and differentiation of CSS between different groups.The median CSS times in the low-risk,medium-risk,and high-risk groups were 36 months(95%CI:34.987-37.013),18 months(95%CI:17.273-18.727),and 5 months(95%CI:4.503-5.497),respectively.CONCLUSION Our study developed a new nomogram model to predict CSS in patients with synchronous mCRC.In addition,the risk-grading system helps to accurately assess patient prognosis and guide treatment.

Research and application of key technologies for data delivery in railway engineering design based on metadata

In view of the problems of inconsistent data semantics,inconsistent data formats,and difficult data quality assurance between the railway engineering design phase and the construction and operation phase,as well as the difficulty in fully realizing the value of design results,this paper proposes a design and implementation scheme for a railway engineering collaborative design platform.The railway engineering collaborative design platform mainly includes functional modules such as metadata management,design collaboration,design delivery management,model component library,model rendering services,and Building Information Modeling(BIM)application services.Based on this,research is conducted on multi-disciplinary parameterized collaborative design technology for railway engineering,infrastructure data management and delivery technology,and design multi-source data fusion and application technology.The railway engineering collaborative design platform is compared with other railway design software to further validate its advantages and advanced features.The platform has been widely applied in multiple railway construction projects,greatly improving the design and project management efficiency.

Analysis of Perinatal Outcomes of Twin Pregnancy in a Referral Hospital for High Risk

Introduction: The incidence of twin pregnancies has increased significantly in recent decades. These pregnancies require more attention due to their worse outcomes than singleton pregnancies. Objective: To analyze the characteristics and perinatal outcomes of twin pregnancies at the Caxias do Sul General Hospital. Methods: This is a descriptive and retrospective study that included all births related to twin pregnancies between March 1998 and June 2018. Maternal and perinatal variables were analyzed. Descriptive analyses were carried out using measures of central tendency and dispersion for continuous variables (mean and standard deviation or median and interquartile range), according to a prior assessment of distribution using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and absolute (n) and relative (n%) frequencies for categorical variables. Results: 172 pairs of twins/21,972 births (0.8%) were identified. There was a high percentage of interpartum interval of less than 12 months, adherence and prenatal visits, body mass index, and need for neonatal intensive care. Stillbirth and neomortality rates were within acceptable parameters. Conclusion: The sample studied showed a percentage similar to that in the literature, a high rate of maternal and perinatal complications, characterizing it as a high-risk fetal pregnancy.

Surgical Treatment of Anterior Shoulder Instabilities Using the Latarjet Technique (about 40 Cases)

Purpose: Surgical treatment of chronic anterior shoulder instability is a difficult therapeutic challenge for contact athletes. The aim of our study is to evaluate the clinical and radiological results of 40 cases of chronic anterior shoulder instability treated in our institution by Latarjet technique. Methods: We report our experience with the intervention of Latarjet modified by the analysis of a retrospective study of 40 cases. They were all young athletic men, with an average age of 29 years with a predominance of the dominant shoulder. Results: Eighty percent had bone lesions, the first dislocation being traumatic (plating). One patient had a recurrence of his instability due to a new trauma and 67% resumed sport within an average period of eight months, some of whom still had functional discomfort in sports practice (9 patients). After an average follow-up of 75 months, 93% of patients were satisfied with their intervention. Only two mechanical complications were observed. Conclusion: Chronic anterior shoulder instability is pathology of young and active subjects. The preregulenoid coracoid block according to Latarjet represents the therapeutic method of choice in the treatment of chronic anterior instabilities of the shoulder, especially in young and athletic subjects. The result of this intervention remains good despite the complications that can occur such as pseudarthrosis, osteoarthritis, lysis or mobility of the screw.

Impact of Laboratory Value Flowsheet in Electronic Health Record (EHR) Documentation Time

Research on the use of EHR is contradictory since it presents contradicting results regarding the time spent documenting. There is research that supports the use of electronic records as a tool to speed documentation;and research that found that it is time consuming. The purpose of this quantitative retrospective before-after project was to measure the impact of using the laboratory value flowsheet within the EHR on documentation time. The research question was: “Does the use of a laboratory value flowsheet in the EHR impact documentation time by primary care providers (PCPs)?” The theoretical framework utilized in this project was the Donabedian Model. The population in this research was the two PCPs in a small primary care clinic in the northwest of Puerto Rico. The sample was composed of all the encounters during the months of October 2019 and December 2019. The data was obtained through data mining and analyzed using SPSS 27. The evaluative outcome of this project is that there is a decrease in documentation time after implementation of the use of the laboratory value flowsheet in the EHR. However, patients per day increase therefore having an impact on the number of patients seen per day/week/month. The implications for clinical practice include the use of templates to improve workflow and documentation as well as decreasing documentation time while also increasing the number of patients seen per day. .

Existence of Entropy Solution for Degenerate Parabolic-Hyperbolic Problem Involving p(x)-Laplacian with Neumann Boundary Condition

We consider a strongly non-linear degenerate parabolic-hyperbolic problem with p(x)-Laplacian diffusion flux function. We propose an entropy formulation and prove the existence of an entropy solution.

ISI Proceedings分析工具Results Analysis的功能分析及检索实践

本文以ISI Proceedings的科技版ISTP具体检索为例,探讨了ISI Proceedings个性化服务的分析工具Results Analysis的功能和使用技巧,以及检索结果的信息分析和挖掘对用户的指导意义。

Evaluation of the Mechanisms Acting on the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation in CESM2 for the 1pctCO_(2) Experiment

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation(AMOC)is a crucial component of the Earth’s climate system due to its fundamental role in heat distribution,carbon and oxygen transport,and the weather.Other climate components,such as the atmosphere and sea ice,influence the AMOC.Evaluating the physical mechanisms of those interactions is paramount to increasing knowledge about AMOC’s functioning.In this study,the authors used outputs from the Community Earth System Model version 2 and observational data to investigate changes in theAMOC and the associated physical processes.Two DECK experiments were evaluated:piControl and 1pctCO_(2),with an annual increase of 1%of atmospheric CO_(2).The analysis revealed a significant decrease in the AMOC,associated with changes in mixed layer depth and buoyancy in high latitudes of the North Atlantic,resulting in the shutdown of deep convection and potentially affecting the formation of North Atlantic Deep Water and Antarctic Bottom Water.A vital aspect observed in this study is the association between increased runoff and reduced water evaporation,giving rise to a positive feedback process.Consequently,the rates of freshwater spreading have intensified during this period,which could lead to an accelerated disruption of the AMOC beyond the projections of existing models.