Objective To study the clinical features, effects of therapeutic regimen and prognosis of patents with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Methods Clinical data of 27 MCL patients admitted in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute&Hospital from January 2008 to December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Cox regression analysis was used to analyze influencing factors of prognosis of MCL. Results The median age was 68 years old for 27 patients, and the male-to-female ratio was 4.4∶1. Ann Arbor staging showed that 25 cases were stageⅢ-Ⅳ(92.6%), 8 cases were heptosplenomegaly (29.6%), 7 cases showed extranodal involvement (25.9%). ECOG scoring showed that 4 cases with scores of 2-4 (14.8%), 8 cases were 0-3 (29.6%), 14 cases were 4-5 (51.9%) and 5 cases were 6-11 (18.5%). The Ki-67 index≤30%was found in 9 cases (33.3%), and>30%was found in 18 cases (67.7%). Patients with B symptom was found in 10 (37.0%). The elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was found in 17 cases (63.0%). The increased Beta 2- microglobulin was found in 8 cases (29.6%). Seven patients were found with bone marrow involvement. The total effective rate (ORR) was 81.8%in group with R-CHOP method, and the ORR was 68.8%in group with CHOP method. Multivariate analysis showed that age, LDH and Ki-67 were independent factors influencing the prognosis of MCL (P<0.05). Conclusion Most patients with MCL are found in advanced stage. Patients with age>60 years, elevated LDH and Ki-67 index>30%are with poor prognosis.

OBJECTIVES: Disparities in healthcare among minority groups can result in disparate treatments for similar severities of symptoms, unequal access to medical care, and a wide deviation in health outcomes. Such racial disparities may be reduced via use of an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system. However, there has been little research investigating the impact of EMR systems on the disparities in health outcomes among minority groups. METHODS: This study examined the impact of EMR systems on the following four outcomes of black patients: length of stay, inpatient mortality rate, 30-day mortality rate, and 30-day readmission rate, using patient and hospital data from the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society between 2000 and 2007. The difference-in-difference research method was employed with a generalized linear model to examine the association of EMR adoption on health outcomes for minority patients while controlling for patient and hospital characteristics. RESULTS: We examined the association between EMR adoption and the outcomes of minority patients, specifically black patients. However, after controlling for patient and hospital characteristics we could not find any significant changes in the four health outcomes of minority patients before and after EMR implementation. CONCLUSIONS: EMR systems have been reported to support better coordinated care, thus encouraging appropriate treatment for minority patients by removing potential sources of bias from providers. Also, EMR systems may improve the quality of care provided to patients via increased responsiveness to care processes that are required to be more time-sensitive and through improved communication. However, we did not find any significant benefit for minority groups after EMR adoption.
Bias (Epidemiology) ; Delivery of Health Care ; Electronic Health Records ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Length of Stay ; Linear Models ; Medicare ; Minority Groups ; Minority Health* ; Mortality

OBJECTIVES: Disparities in healthcare among minority groups can result in disparate treatments for similar severities of symptoms, unequal access to medical care, and a wide deviation in health outcomes. Such racial disparities may be reduced via use of an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system. However, there has been little research investigating the impact of EMR systems on the disparities in health outcomes among minority groups. METHODS: This study examined the impact of EMR systems on the following four outcomes of black patients: length of stay, inpatient mortality rate, 30-day mortality rate, and 30-day readmission rate, using patient and hospital data from the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society between 2000 and 2007. The difference-in-difference research method was employed with a generalized linear model to examine the association of EMR adoption on health outcomes for minority patients while controlling for patient and hospital characteristics. RESULTS: We examined the association between EMR adoption and the outcomes of minority patients, specifically black patients. However, after controlling for patient and hospital characteristics we could not find any significant changes in the four health outcomes of minority patients before and after EMR implementation. CONCLUSIONS: EMR systems have been reported to support better coordinated care, thus encouraging appropriate treatment for minority patients by removing potential sources of bias from providers. Also, EMR systems may improve the quality of care provided to patients via increased responsiveness to care processes that are required to be more time-sensitive and through improved communication. However, we did not find any significant benefit for minority groups after EMR adoption.
Bias (Epidemiology) ; Delivery of Health Care ; Electronic Health Records ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Length of Stay ; Linear Models ; Medicare ; Minority Groups ; Minority Health* ; Mortality

Objective To investigate the clinical effects and postoperative complications of arthrotomy and arthroscopy in repair of 170 menisci in 168 cases.Methods One hundred and sixty-eight patients with meniscus injury were repaired by arthrotomy or arthroscopy.They were 121 males and 47 females.There were 77 left knees and 91 right knees;117 medial menisci and 53 lateral ones.Their average age was 25.5?8.4 years old.Arthro- scopic repair methods included puncture and grinding,bio-absorbable meniscus arrow fixation,Outside-In suturing, Inside-Out suturing,Elite scuff instrument repairing,T-Fix fixation and FasT-Fix fixation techniques.The clinical results were assessed on the basis of symptoms,physical signs,Tegner scores and Lysholm scores of the cases. Postoperative complications were also investigated.Re-arthroscopic exploration was done for patients with obvious symptoms and physical signs.Results The average folluw-up time was 49.3?28.8 months.Their mean pre- operative Tegner score was 3.3?2.3,and their postoperative one 6.8?2.1 (P＜0.05).Their preoperative Lysholm score was 30.1?18.2,and their postoperative one 87.5?22.5 (P＜0.01).There were significant differences in Tegner and Lysholm scores before operation and after operation.Ninety-eight repaired menisci were rated as excellent(57.7%),57 as good (33.5%),10 as fair (5.9%),and five as poor (2.9%).The total ex- cellent and good result was 91.2%.Of the 19 patients with obvious symptoms and physical signs,re-arthroscopic exploration found no healing in five and partial healing in six.Postoperative complications included pain at the Outside-In suture nodes in three cases,referred pain at posterior articular capsule resulted from failed Outside-In meniscus anterior horn suturing in one case,and twinge at the meniscus arrow site in the posterior capsule in five cases.No serious lesion occurred at blood vessels or nerves.The postoperative complication incidence was 5.3%. Conclusion The eight methods of arthrotomy and arthroscopy to repair injured menisci investigated in our study can have a high successful rate and low perioperative and postoperative risk.

BACKGROUNDPosterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tear is a severe injury to the knee joint and often requires surgical reconstruction. A number of PCL reconstruction techniques have been reported. However, the problem of residual laxity after surgery is not unusual with conventional techniques. This study aims to introduce a modified PCL reconstruction with remnant preservation and graft tension relieving.

METHODSBetween December 2008 and June 2011, 36 cases of PCL reconstruction were performed in our institute, 20 with conventional technique (Group I) and 16 with modified technique (Group II). Pre- and post-operative results of the international knee documentation committee knee evaluation form (IKDC), Lysholm, Tegner, and KT2000 side-to-side difference were obtained.

RESULTSSignificant improvements of IKDC, Lysholm, Tegner, and KT2000 results after surgery were found in both groups. Group II showed better improvement in all subjective examinations and significantly more decrease of KT 2000 side-to-side difference.

CONCLUSIONModified PCL reconstruction with remnant preservation and graft tension relieving showed better results in restoration of posterior stability compared to conventional technique.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods

OBJECTIVE: To investigate factors influencing commitment to human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination and prior vaccination among female college students in northern Taiwan. METHODS: A quota sample of 400 female college students was recruited from nine colleges in northern Taiwan during March 2013. Of these, 398 completed the self administered questionnaire which was designed based on the health promotion model. RESULTS: The results showed that factors associated with prior vaccination behavior were family history of gynecologic malignancy, ever being advised to get HPV vaccination, perceived barriers of action and perceived self-efficacy. Predictors for commitment to HPV vaccination in the next 6 months were the cost of vaccination, ever being advised to get HPV vaccination, perceived self-efficacy and situational influences. Perceived self-efficacy was significantly influenced by relationship status, past receipt of a recommendation for HPV vaccination and level of knowledge about HPV. CONCLUSION: When formulating vaccination policies, governmental or medical institutions should include these factors to promote vaccination.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; *Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Health Promotion/methods ; Humans ; Papillomavirus Infections/complications/*prevention & control ; *Papillomavirus Vaccines ; Self Efficacy ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Students/*psychology ; Taiwan ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/*prevention & control/virology ; Vaccination/psychology/statistics & numerical data ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVESTo study and analyze the clinical factors contributing to the failure of primary posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction and to guide our clinical treatment.

METHODSFrom November 2001 to May 2007, 8 patients underwent PCL reconstruction revision because of pathological instability after primary PCL reconstruction. And the clinical failure factors of the primary reconstruction were analyzed.

RESULTSOne case was reconstructed with bone-patellar tendon-bone (B-T-B) autografts, 7 cases with hamstring tendon autograft. The most probable causes of failure were improper graft placement in 7 cases (both femoral bone tunnels were behind the predicted one and tibial tunnels were in front of the predicted one). The reconstructed PCL in 4 cases ruptured absolutely and had been absorbed. Three cases had obviously loosen but still partly linked reconstructed ligament. These 8 cases all received primary PCL revision reconstruction. Among them, 6 cases were reconstructed with autograft (using a single-bundle quadruple hamstring graft in 3 cases, double-bundle quadruple hamstring graft in 1 case, single-bundle B-T-B autograft in 2 case), and 2 cases were reconstructed with allograft (using a single-bundle and a double-bundle B-T-B allograft reconstruction).

CONCLUSIONSIncorrect bone tunnel placement is the major factor contributing to the surgical failure in many reasons for the failure of PCL reconstruction. So, it might be suggested that there is a great need for a more precise anatomical bone tunnel placement.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament ; surgery ; Reoperation ; statistics & numerical data ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Failure ; Young Adult

Angioma serpiginosum is an uncommon, acquired vascular nevoid disorder with capillary dilation and proliferation in the papillary dermis. The eruptions are asymptomatic and characterized by grouped, erythematous to violaceous, serpiginous and punctate macules. The condition usually appears in females during adolescence on unilateral lower extremities and the buttocks. We report a rare case with a late onset and atypical distribution of lesions in a 48-year-old female patient who had groups of punctate lesions on her left foot for four to five years. Histopathological examination showed hyperkeratosis and multiple dilated and proliferated capillaries in the papillary dermis. Inflammation and extravasation of red blood cells were not found. According to the clinical and pathological findings, we established a diagnosis of angioma serpiginosum. She was treated with a pulsed dye laser, and the angiomatous lesions subsequently improved.
Female ; Foot Diseases/diagnosis/surgery ; Humans ; Lasers, Dye/therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Skin/blood supply/pathology/surgery ; Skin Diseases, Vascular/*diagnosis/surgery ; Telangiectasis/*diagnosis/surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical results of double and single bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

METHODSFrom 2005 May to December the data of 33 patients (4 lost follow) with double-bundle and 41 patients (8 lost follow) with single-bundle reconstruction of ACL using auto-hamstring tendons was retrospectively investigated. The follow-up was 14-22 months (average 18 months) of double-bundle group and 14-21 months (average 18 months) of single-bundle group. The IKDC, Lysholm and Tegner scores, KT-2000 and Biodex were used to evaluate the clinical results.

RESULTSThe IKDC, Lysholm and Tegner scores were increased significantly from 60, 66, 4 before the operation to 85, 94 and 6 respectively after the double-bundle reconstruction. The KT-2000 results showed that at 30 and 90 degree 134 N the anterior-posterior translations were significantly decreased from 5.8 and 2.4 mm to 1.2 and 1.1 mm respectively of the double-bundle group (P < 0.01). The peak torques of the extend and flex muscles of the involved knee at 60 degrees/s and 120 degrees/s were only at 81%, 87%, 76% and 85% of the contralateral knee of the double-bundle group. And the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). There were no differences between the two groups of any index, but the KT value at 30 degree and the extensor peak torque of the double-bundle group manifested a better tendency.

CONCLUSIONSBoth double-bundle and single-bundle ACL reconstruction can restore the stability and improve the function of the knee, and the double-bundle group shows a better tendency at the 30 degree stability and the extensor strength.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; surgery ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; surgery ; Knee Injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Tendons ; transplantation ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDRevision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery can be expected to become more common as the number of primary reconstruction keeps increasing. This study aims to investigate the factors causing instability after primary ACL reconstruction, which may provide an essential scientific base to prevent surgical failure.

METHODSOne hundred and ten revision ACL surgeries were performed at our institute between November 2001 and July 2012. There were 74 men and 36 women, and the mean age at the time of revision was 27.6 years (range 16 - 56 years). The factors leading to instability after primary ACL reconstruction were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTSFifty-one knees failed because of bone tunnel malposition, with too anterior femoral tunnels (20 knees), posterior wall blowout (1 knee), vertical femoral tunnels (7 knees), too posterior tibial tunnels (12 knees), and too anterior tibial tunnels (10 knees). There was another knee performed with open surgery, where the femoral tunnel was drilled through the medial condyle and the tibial tunnel was too anterior. Five knees were found with malposition of the fixation. One knee with allograft was suspected of rejection and a second surgery had been made to take out the graft. Three knees met recurrent instability after postoperative infection. The other factors included traumatic (48 knees) and unidentified (12 knees).

CONCLUSIONTechnical errors were the main factors leading to instability after primary ACL reconstructions, while attention should also be paid to the risk factors of re-injury and failure of graft incorporation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies