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Background: Osteosarcoma is a primary form of malignant bone tumor. It is commonly prevalent among children. Treating osteosarcoma with chemotherapy has had limited clinical outcomes due to side effects and the formation of drug resistance. Presently, a mixture of doxorubicin, cisplatin, ifosfamide, epirubicin methrotrexate, and other supplementary medications are used in osteosarcoma chemotherapy. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the clinical therapeutic effects of combining methotrexate with other chemotherapeutic agents to treat osteosarcoma in children. Methods: The search of several electronic databases will lead to source related published studies. The electronic databases include both English (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library) and Chinese (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang, and China Biomedical Database) databases. All studies published from inception to November 19, 2020 are searched. Study selection, extraction of data, and evaluation of the bias risk in included studies are carried out by two authors independently. The software, RevMan 5.3, is used to analyze the data. Results: This study provides evidence of substantial quality for the clinical therapeutic effects of methotrexate combined with other chemotherapeutic agents for treating osteosarcoma in children. Conclusion: The results of this study provide conclusive evidence with regards to the clinical application of methotrexate combined with other chemotherapeutic agents for treating osteosarcoma in children. Ethics and dissemination: Since this study will use published data, ethical approval is not required. Systematic review registration number: This protocol has been registered on INPLASY202110024.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been rapidly spreading on a global scale and poses a great threat to human health. However, efficient indicators for disease severity have not been fully investigated. Here, we aim to investigate whether dynamic changes of lymphocyte counts can predict the deterioration of patients with COVID-19. We collected data from 2923 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. Patients were then screened, and we focused on 145 severe cases and 60 critical cases (29 recovered cases, 31 deaths). The length of hospitalization was divided into five time points, namely admission, 25%, 50%, 75% and discharge or death, according to the principle of interquartile distance. A series of laboratory findings and clinical data were collected and analyzed during hospitalization. The results showed that there were differences in levels of leukocytes, neutrophils and lymphocytes at almost every time point in the severe cases and 60 critical cases (29 recovered cases, 31 deaths). Further analysis showed that 70.2% of the COVID-19 cases had low circulating lymphocyte count, of which 64.1% were severe cases and 85.0% were critical cases (75.9% recovered cases and 93.5% died). Moreover, the lymphocyte count in dead cases was significantly lower than that of critical cases who recovered, at almost every time point in the critical groups. We also divided critical patients into group A (1.1 × 109/L) according to number of lymphocytes. Through survival analysis, we found that there was no significant difference in survival between group A and group B at admission (P = .3065). However, the survival rate according to lymphocyte levels in group A was significantly lower than that of group B at 25% hospital stay (on average day 6.5), 50% and 75% time points (P

Background: The prognostic value of C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) in pancreatic cancer remains controversial. This study aimed to determine the potential role of CAR as a prognostic indicator in pancreatic cancer. Methods: A comprehensive literature search up to December 2018 was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and other databases. The hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was employed to quantitatively assess CAR as a prognostic indicator in patients with pancreatic cancer. Results: Eleven studies with 2047 pancreatic cancer patients were selected for the analysis. Ten out of 11 studies included only Asian patients. The pooled results showed that a higher CAR value was significantly associated with a poor overall survival of pancreatic cancer patients (random-effects model: HR = 1.86; 95% CI = 1.53–2.26). Sensitivity analysis indicated the stability of the overall pooled results. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression analysis revealed that the country under study, cut-off value of CAR, treatment of patients, and the period of follow-up did not affect the prognostic value of CAR in pancreatic cancer patients (P > .05). No publication bias was noted across the studies (P = .933). Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that CAR is associated with the survival of pancreatic cancer patients of Asian ethnicity, and a higher CAR may be a potential prognostic indicator in pancreatic cancers.

Background: The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2476601 of the protein tyrosine phosphatase, nonreceptor type 22 (PTPN22) gene has been presented to implicate in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA) in a few association investigations with limited sample size and inconsistent conclusions. Methods: The aim of the current meta-analysis was to assess and synthesize the presently available data on the connection between rs2476601 and AA vulnerability. Six electronic databases, including EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Wanfang data, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure database (CNKI), were systematically retrieved for relevant observational studies published previous to November 2018. Total odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were analyzed to evaluate the correlation between PTPN22 polymorphism and AA. Risk of bias was estimated according to the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). Sensitivity analyses were carried out using the RevMan 5.3 software. Results: In general, 5 case–control studies including 1129 AA patients and 1702 healthy control individuals were obtained for this meta-analysis. The pooled results suggested that rs2476601 SNP was significantly associated with AA susceptibility under allelic model (C vs T, OR = 0.77, 95% CI, 0.64–0.92, P = .003) and recessive model (CC vs CT + TT, OR = 0.73, 95% CI, 0.60–0.88, P = .001). Conclusion: On the basis of the results of the current research, the rs2476601 polymorphism of PTPN22 gene is significantly correlated with AA susceptibility. The C-allele and CC-genotype carriers at this locus have a lower risk of AA.

Presently, data on the type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Chinese Korean ethnicity are very scarce. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) and T2DM in Chinese Korean ethnicity population. This case-control study involved 43 T2DM Chinese Korean ethnicity patients (T2DM group) and 43 healthy Chinese Korean ethnicity normoglycemic subjects as controls (Control group). All included participants aged from 40 to 75 years old. Clinical and biological data were collected to determine the phenotypic traits. The restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze the TCF7L2 by genotyping for rs7903146 (C/T). Spectrophotometer with Chronolab kits was used to conduct the biochemical analyses. TCF7L2 was associated with T2DM in the Chinese Korean ethnicity population (P

Rationale: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology and often occurs in children under 5 years old. During the acute phase, approximately 5% of children with KD develop hypotension and shock, a severe condition termed KD shock syndrome (KDSS). Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), another life-threatening complication, has been reported to be associated with KD, although rarely. KDSS complicated with MAS is extremely rare. In this article, we present our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of KDSS complicated with MAS. Patient concerns: A 5-month boy with fever for 5 days was diagnosed with KD. After 2 doses of intravenous immunoglobulin and regular antiinflammatory treatment at a local hospital, the fever did not subdue. He was admitted to our department on the 10th day of illness. The boy developed KDSS on the 11th day of illness. In the mean time, the boy had hepatosplenomegaly, and laboratory tests showed hypertriglyceridemia, hypofibrinogenemia, decreased blood red cells and platelets, increased ferritin and soluble sIL2Rα, and reduced natural killer cell activity. Diagnosis: The patient had KDSS complicated with MAS. Interventions: Emergency antishock therapy along with high-dose steroid with a longer tapering course was carried out. Following these treatments, fever subsided and other symptoms and signs relieved, but progressive coronary dilatation occurred, warfarin was thereby administered. Outcomes: The patient was discharged 30 days after hospitalization. Echocardiography at the 2 month follow-up showed regression of coronary aneurysm. Lessons: Laboratory testing is critical for the diagnosis of MAS and we recommend that 2009 HLH diagnostic criteria be used for the diagnosis of MAS in KD. Emergency treatment of shock and a longer course of high-dose steroid anti-inflammatory therapy are vital for the management of KDSS complicated with MAS.

Background This study will be designed to appraise the effects of intraoperative pressure ulcer preventive nursing (IPUPN) on inflammatory markers (IMs) in patients with high-risk pressure ulcers (HRPU) based on high quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods In this study, we will perform a rigorous literature search from the following electronic databases: Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. All electronic databases will be retrieved from their initial time to March 1, 2020 without limitations of language and publication status. We will only consider high quality RCTs that explored the effects of IPUPN on IMs in patients with HRPU. Two investigators will identify relevant trials, extract data, and appraise risk of bias in each eligible trial. Data will be pooled by either a fixed-effects model or a random-effects model according to the results of heterogeneity identification. The primary outcomes include IMs, and incidence of new pressure ulcers. The secondary outcomes are time to ulcer development, quality of life, length of hospital stay, and adverse events. Statistical analysis will be undertaken using RevMan 5.3 software. Results This study will summarize high quality clinical evidence of RCTs to evaluate the effects of IPUPN on IMs in patients with HRPU. Conclusion The expected findings may provide helpful evidence to determine whether IPUPN is an effective intervention on IMs in patients with HRPU. Inplasy registration number INPLASY202040029.

Rationale: Penetrating neck trauma has a mortality of 3% to 6% and is associated with serious complications, mainly due to the high density of vital structures in this area and the lack of corresponding protection from bone. Patient concerns: A 55-year-old man who suffered neck trauma involving the parotid gland, caused by a rebar, after suffering a fall from the second floor of a building. Diagnoses: Penetrating neck trauma. Interventions: The patient underwent a neck exploration under general anesthesia in the emergency operating room and tracheotomy was performed prophylactically. Outcomes: The foreign object was ultimately removed successfully with no complications. Lessons: We concluded that computed tomography (CT) and three-dimensional reconstruction of the CT images can be a viable method to exclude macrovascular injury for patients who are in an emergency condition and are not eligible for computed tomography angiography (CTA). A chest tube could be used as an option for the removal of foreign bodies in the case of sharp or rough objects (such as spiral foreign bodies), when fully exposing the foreign body and its track.

Rationale: Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is a common cause of dementia. Research suggests that hereditary factors (gene mutations) play an important role in the pathogenesis of VCI, and a mutation of the NOTCH3 locus is frequently identified in affected patients. Herein, we report the case of a patient with confirmed VCI associated with a NOTCH3 exon 33 gene mutation and review the relevant VCI literature. Patient concerns: A 48-year-old man presented to our neurology clinic with gradually progressive cognitive impairment. Diagnoses: Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple punctate hyperintensities in the patient's periventricular white matter. Genetic analysis showed a c.6744C > T, p. Ala2223Val substitution in exon 33 of the NOTCH3 gene. We diagnosed thepatient with VCI secondary to a NOTCH3 gene mutation. Interventions: Donepezil (5 mg) and memantine (5 mg) daily. Outcomes: The patient showed symptom improvement at his 3-month and 6-month follow-up appointments. Lessons: This patient may have a new type of mutation that is different from the one seen in cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy, although it involves a NOTCH3 defect. We propose that the entire NOTCH3 gene should be sequenced in patients with suspected hereditary VCI. This practice could facilitate the discovery of newpathogenic mutations and diseases.

Rationale:Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology and often occurs in children under 5 years old. During the acute phase, approximately 5% of children with KD develop hypotension and shock, a severe condition termed KD shock syndrome (KDSS). Macropha

A total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has always been associated with moderate to severe pain. As more research is conducted on the use of continuous local infiltration analgesia (CLIA) to manage pain after a TKA, it is necessary to reassess the efficacy and safety of the TKA method. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pain control of CLIA versus placebo after a TKA. In January 2015, a systematic computer-based search was conducted in the Medline, Embase, PubMed, CENTRAL (Cochrane Controlled Trials Register), Web of Science, Google database, and Chinese Wanfang databases. This systematic review and meta-analysis were performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses statement criteria. The primary endpoint was the visual analog scale score after a TKA with rest or mobilization at 24, 48, and 72 hours, which represents the effect of pain control after TKA. The complications of infection, nausea, and whether it prolonged wound drainage were also compiled to assess the safety of CLIA. RevMan 5.30 software was used for the meta-analysis. After testing for publication bias and heterogeneity across studies, data were aggregated for random-effects modeling when necessary. Ten studies involving 735 patients met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis revealed that continuous infusion analgesia provided better pain control with rest at 24 hours (mean difference [MD] −12.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] −16.63 to 8.45), and with mobilization at 24 hours (MD −18.27, 95% CI −27.52 to 9.02) and 48 hours (MD −14.19, 95% CI −21.46 to 6.93). There was no significant difference with respect to the visual analog scale score at 48 hours (MD −6.15, 95% CI −13.51 to 1.22, P = 0.10) and 72 hours (MD −3.63, 95% CI −10.43 to 3.16, P = 0.29) with rest and at 72 hours with mobilization (MD −4.25, 95% CI −16.27 to 7.77, P = 0.49). However, CLIA increased the rate of infection (relative risk [RR] 3.16, 95% CI 1.18–8.50, P = 0.02) and the rate of nausea or vomiting (RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.37–0.96, P = 0.03). There were no significant differences in the length of hospital stay (MD −0.34, 95% CI −1.09 to 0.42, P = 0.38), deep venous thrombosis (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.30 to 1.41, P = 0.99), or duration of surgery (MD 1.20, 95% CI −4.59 to 6.98, P = 0.69). On the basis of the current meta-analysis, CLIA was more efficacious for reducing postoperative pain than the placebo at 24 hours with rest and at 24 and 48 hours with mobilization, but it increased the risk of infection. However, CLIA did not prolong the length of hospital stay or the duration of surgery. There was also a higher heterogeneity of different analgesic drugs mixed and a high risk of selection bias in this analysis; therefore, more high-quality randomized controlled trials with standardized CLIA are necessary for proper comparisons of this technique with other methods.

Although extremity chronic osteomyelitis is common in China, updated data were still limited regarding its characterizations. The present study aimed to review clinical features of extremity chronic osteomyelitis in Southern China. A retrospective analysis was conducted in the patients who had sought medical attention from January 2010 to April 2015 for extremity chronic osteomyelitis in Nanfang Hospital in Southern China. Clinical data were collected and analyzed. A total of 394 patients (307 males and 87 females) were included, giving a gender ratio of 3.53. The median age at first diagnosis was 42 years for all. The most frequent type was traumatic osteomyelitis (262 cases, 66.50%), which was mainly caused by open injury (166 cases, 63.36%) and during a road accident (91 cases, 34.73%). Single-site infection accounted for 81.98% (323 cases), with tibia (126 cases), femur (79 cases), calcaneus (37 cases), and toes (37 cases) as the top sites. The positive rate of intraoperative culture was 70.63% (214/303), 78.97% (169/214) of which was monomicrobial infection. Staphylococcus aureus (59 cases) was the most frequent bacteria for monomicrobial infection, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (29 cases) and Escherichia coli (11 cases). The positive ratios of preoperative serum white blood cell (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were 21.63%, 64.92%, 53.27%, 42.25%, 72.82%, and 66.67%, respectively. The most frequently used intravenous antibiotic was cephalosporins. The overall cure rate was 77.74%, with a total amputation rate of 16.75%. In this representative Chinese cohort, extremity chronic osteomyelitis was mostly caused by open injury and during a road accident, predominated in males and favored the tibia. S. aureus was the most frequent pathogenic organism. Preoperative elevated levels of serum IL-6, TNF-α, and ESR may be helpful diagnostic indicators of the disease. Most patients achieved a favorable clinical efficacy after appropriate treatment.