controversy

BACKGROUND: The role of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) after gross total resection (GTR) of the World Health Organization (WHO) grade II ependymoma is controversial. Therefore, we aimed to compare the outcomes of adjuvant RT against observation after GTR of WHO grade II ependymoma. We also compared the outcomes of adjuvant RT against observation after subtotal resection (STR) of WHO grade II ependymoma and performed further subgroup analysis by age and tumor location. METHODS: PubMed and Embase were systematically reviewed for studies published up till 25 November 2022...

OBJECTIVES: There is still controversy over the choice of treatment for end-stage spinal metastases. With the continuous development of microwave technology in spinal tumors, related studies have reported that microwave combined with techniques such as pedicle screw fixation and percutaneous vertebroplasty can achieve the purpose of tumor ablation, relieving spinal cord compression, enhancing spinal stability, effectively relieving pain, and reducing recurrence rates. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of microwave ablation combined with decompression and pedicle screw fixation in the palliative management of spinal metastases with pathological fractures...

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BACKGROUND: It is controversial that Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) is involved in the pathogenesis or development of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential association between LPRD and H pylori infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review was performed of studies assessing the diagnosis or treatment of LPRD among patients with H pylori infection. Data sources are PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE[Ovid], Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials...

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a hydrophilic bile acid commonly used for treating cholestatic liver disease. However, its efficacy on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) was controversial. This study aimed to investigate the impact of a high dosage of UDCA on a mouse model of NASH. Forty 6-week-old mice were fed a high-fat high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet for 12 weeks to establish a mouse model of NASH, and then divided into four groups: two groups transitioned to a normal diet, and the other two groups maintained the HFHC diet...

BACKGROUND: Non-cardia gastric cancer remains a major cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, despite declining incidence rates in many industrialized countries. The development of intestinal-type gastric cancer occurs through a multistep process in which normal mucosa is sequentially transformed into hyperproliferative epithelium, followed by metaplastic processes leading to carcinogenesis. Chronic infection with Helicobacter pylori is the primary etiological agent that causes chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa, induces atrophic gastritis, and can lead to intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia...

BACKGROUND: The role of viral agents in the development of head and neck cancers has remained controversial. While markers of viral origin have been isolated from oral cancer tissues, a causative relationship has yet to be shown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between head and neck cancers and Herpes simplex virus, one of the most common viral infections of the oral orifice. METHODS: Here, we conducted a retrospective analysis of two age- and gender-matched cohorts extracted from the real-world database TriNetX on March 10th, 2023, each consisting of 249,272 patients with and without Herpes simplex infections (ICD-10: B00)...

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a life-threatening haemostatic disease frequently diagnosed among the cancer population. The Khorana Score is currently the primal risk assessment model to stratify oncological patients according to their susceptibility to VTE, however, it displays a limited performance. Meanwhile, intensive research on VTE pathophysiology in the general population has uncovered a range of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with the condition. Nonetheless, their predictive ability concerning cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) is controversial...

INTRODUCTION: Cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) is a significant concern among patients with malignant diseases, leading to increased mortality. While current guidelines recommend primary thromboprophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in medium-to-high-risk outpatients, this practice remains controversial. A better understanding of primary thromboprophylaxis is crucial, yet there is a lack of Real-World Evidence (RWE) in Portugal. AIMS: This RWE study aimed to elucidate primary thromboprophylaxis practices among cancer outpatients in Portugal...

BACKGROUND: Acute hepatic porphyrias (AHPs) are a group of rare diseases that encompasses acute intermittent porphyria, variegate porphyria, hereditary coproporphyria, and 5-aminolaevulinic acid dehydratase deficiency porphyria. Symptoms of AHP are nonspecific which, together with its low prevalence, difficult the diagnosis and follow-up of these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This project used DELPHI methodology to answer PICO questions related to management of patients with AHPs...

BACKGROUND: Controversy remains over outcomes between total hip arthroplasty (THA) approaches. This study aimed to compare the time to achieve the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-Physical Function Short Form (HOOS-PS) and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global-Physical for patients who underwent anterior and posterior surgical approaches in primary THA. METHODS: Patients from 2018 to 2021 with preoperative and postoperative HOOS-PS or PROMIS Global-Physical questionnaires were grouped by approach...

As histopathological aspects of dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) are often lacking, there can be controversies regarding their angioarchitecture. Depending on various statements or DAVF types, the shunts may be situated directly on the sinuses, at the confluence of sinuses and cortical veins, in adjacent vascular structures surrounding the sinus or even in the bone.1-5 Comprehensive knowledge of the intricate arteriovenous shunt anatomy is crucial for the secure and effective management of DAVFs.1 It has been confirmed that the dural arteries communicate with crack-like veins that connect one or more dural veins near the affected sinuses...

BACKGROUND: The accumulation of ordered protein aggregates, amyloid fibrils, accompanies various neurodegenerative diseases (such as Parkinson's, Huntington's, Alzheimer's, etc.) and causes a wide range of systemic and local amyloidoses (such as insulin, hemodialysis amyloidosis, etc.). Such pathologies are usually diagnosed when the disease is already irreversible and a large amount of amyloid plaques have accumulated. In recent years, new drugs aimed at reducing amyloid levels have been actively developed...

As the number of vaccinated individuals has increased, there have been increasing reports of cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions. The main COVID-19 vaccines administered include messenger ribonucleic acid vaccines, non-replicating viral vector vaccines, inactivated whole-virus vaccines, and protein-based vaccines. These vaccines contain active components such as polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, aluminum, tromethamine, and disodium edetate dihydrate. Recent advances in understanding the coordination of inflammatory responses by specific subsets of lymphocytes have led to a new classification based on immune response patterns...

Submerged plants affect nitrogen cycling in aquatic ecosystems. However, whether and how submerged plants change nitrous oxide (N2 O) production mechanism and emissions flux remains controversial. Current research primarily focuses on the feedback from N2 O release to variation of substrate level and microbial communities. It is deficient in connecting the relative contribution of individual N2 O production processes (i.e., the N2 O partition). Here, we attempted to offer a comprehensive understanding of the N2 O mitigation mechanism in aquatic ecosystems on the Changjiang River Delta according to stable isotopic techniques, metagenome-assembly genome analysis, and statistical analysis...

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) as a downstaging or bridging therapy for liver transplantation (LT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients is rapidly increasing. However, the evidence about the feasibility and safety of pre-LT ICIs therapy is limited and controversial. To this end, a multicenter, retrospective cohort study was conducted in 11 Chinese centers. The results showed that 83 recipients received pre-LT ICIs therapy during the study period. The median post-LT follow up was 8.1 (interquartile range [IQR] 3...

UNLABELLED: objective：The management of thyroid eye disease (TED) has undergone significant changes for decades. The study sought to investigate current clinical practice on the management of TED in China. METHODS: An online questionnaire survey was conducted from April to May 2023. The questionnaire involved diagnostic criteria for TED, multidisciplinary treatment (MDT) collaboration, and treatment preference for mild, moderate, and severe TED. RESULTS: A total of 289 questionnaires were collected, with 165 from endocrinologists and 124 from ophthalmologists...

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Abdominal ectopic pregnancy (AEP) located at hepatic region and pelvic-wall ectopic pregnancy (EP) are rare entities, that provoking a potentially life-threatening condition. Due to insufficient data, a proper management of non-specific types remains a challenge for all gynecologists worldwide. CASE PRESENTATION: Two child-bearing age women were hospitalized due to delayed menstruation and a urine pregnancy test was positive without a determination of intrauterine pregnancy...

OBJECTIVE: The effect of vertebral osteoporosis on disc degeneration remains controversial. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant animal studies to shed more light on the effects and mechanisms of vertebral osteoporosis on disc degeneration and to promote the resolution of the controversy. METHODS: The PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were searched for studies that met the inclusion criteria. Basic information and data were extracted from the included studies and data were analyzed using STATA 15...

BACKGROUND Vital pulp therapy approaches are preferred over non-surgical root canal treatment, giving the advantage of preserving the vitality of the dental pulp and thus maintaining its benefits. Such approaches can be performed in teeth having normal apical area; however, performing vital pulp therapy approaches in teeth associated with periapical pathology remains controversial. CASE REPORT We present a case of a mature mandibular right first permanent molar tooth in a medically fit 10-year-old female diagnosed as asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis with asymptomatic apical periodontitis with periapical radiolucency having a periapical index (PAI) score of 4...