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A recent study conducted in China examined the impact of pre-existing lung diseases on the outcomes of COVID-19 in cancer patients who had received immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The study found that lung diseases, specifically interstitial lung disease (ILD) and atelectasis, were associated with worse clinical outcomes, severe symptoms, and increased respiratory support in these patients. However, lung cancer, pneumonia, and chronic bronchitis/COPD were not found to be associated with COVID-19 outcomes. The study emphasizes the importance of considering pre-existing lung diseases in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, particularly in high-risk patients with poor prognoses. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has been reported as a new therapy for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). However, few studies have compared ESWT with the local corticosteroid injection (LCI).Methods: In this study, a randomized controlled trial comparing 30 patients with ESWT and 25 patients treated with LCI was conducted. The clinical outcomes were obtained with tests including the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and paresthesia, the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BQ), and a nerve conduction study, before the study started and at three, nine, and 12 weeks after the start of the treatment.Results: Significantly greater improvement in the VAS and BQ scores was noted for the ESWT group than for the LCI group (P < 0.05). For the nerve conduction study, there was a significant improvement in the median nerve sensory nerve action potential distal latency at the nine and 12-week follow-ups for the ESWT group.Conclusions: ESWT is a useful noninvasive short-term treatment for mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome and elicits a better recovery than LCI does, but more research is needed to test the clinical outcomes of ESWT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FOUR THEMES ARE evident in the studies of urban China (Taiwan, Hong Kong and the People's Republic of China) over the last thirty years: the relationship between state policy and economic development; the urbanization and transformation of Chinese society; socialism's impact on the urban infrastructure; and, more recently; the effect of market reforms on urban stratification, family composition and organization, and forms of cultural expression. This essay presents a bibliography of writings on urban China (1949-1998). Much of this literature is drawn from disciplines other than anthropology and is relatively recent, (51 percent or n=143 out of 240 were published in the last eight years). The essay also discusses the thematic topics and more recent writings representative of research in the field. [China, cities, market reform, social change] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The use of bone graft for the radial head fractures has been previously described and occasionally used by other authors.This is the first paper, to my knowledge, dealing with the relevant issue about the importance that the use of an autologous bone graft can have on the radial head fractures.Methods: From July 2010 to July 2014, 20 consecutive patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation for a closed Mason type II radial head fracture were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with Mason type I, III, simple type II, and comminuted type II fractures treated without bone grafting were excluded. A clinical examination and radiographic evaluation were performed. The overall functional result was evaluated using the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS). The Broberg and Morrey classification was used to evaluate traumatic arthritis.Results: The average follow-up duration was 31 months (range, 24-50 months). Bone union of the radial head fracture was achieved in all patients at an average of 13.5 weeks (range, 12-17 weeks). Postoperative radiographs showed no cases of postsurgical ligamentous instability, necrosis of the radial head, or internal fixation failure. The mean range of motion of the affected elbow was 128° ± 8.4° in flexion, 14.5° ± 11.1° in extension, 68.7° ± 14.1° in pronation, and 65.2° ± 18.2° in supination. The mean MEPS was 92 ± 7.9 points (range, 80-100); the outcome was excellent (90-100 points) in 13 patients and good (75-89 points) in 7 patients. The MEPS tended to be higher in patients with an isolated fracture (p = 0.016). Based on the Broberg and Morrey classification for radiographic assessment of post-traumatic arthritis, 15 elbows had no evidence of degenerative changes (grade 0), and 5 elbows had grade 1 changes.Conclusion: Although radial head fractures may not be amenable to internal fixation, our findings suggest that open reduction and internal fixation with an autogenous bone graft from the lateral epicondyle of the humerus provides satisfactory elbow function in patients with comminuted Mason type II radial head fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]