MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between June 2011 and May 2012, 20 patients with upper urinary tract stones were included in this prospective randomized study. The patients were assigned into the LESS group or CL group in a one-on-one manner using a random table. The clinical parameters were evaluated in the immediate postoperative period, and the stone clearance rate was evaluated via non-contrast computer tomography at one month postoperatively.
RESULTS: There were no significant differences in patient demographics or preoperative stone sizes between the two groups. The perioperative parameters, including operative time, estimated blood loss, postoperative pain scores, length of hospital stay, and changes in renal function, were comparable. No transfusions or open conversions were required in either group. The incidence of residual stones was lower in the LESS group (1 case) than in the CL group (2 cases). However, this difference was not statistically significant.
CONCLUSIONS: For large and impacted upper ureteral stones, the effectiveness and safety of LESS were equivalent to those of CL. Further randomized control trials with larger sample sizes are needed to strengthen the conclusions of this study. .
PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of a novel trajectory for C7 laminar screws and to compare it with an old trajectory.
OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: The previously reported trajectory of C7 laminar screws has a horizontal direction without a fixed target point. Our new trajectory has a cephalad direction with a fixed target point.
METHODS: Computed tomographic scans of a total of 50 male and 50 female patients were utilized. The placement of C7 laminar screws was activated employing the new and old trajectories. The success rate, the causes of failure, and the maximum allowable length of each trajectory were compared.
RESULTS: Employing the new trajectory, the success rates of the unilaminar and bilaminar screws were 93% and 83%, respectively, which were significantly better than the old trajectory (80%, p<0.0001 and 70%, p=0.0003). The most prevalent cause of failure was laminar cortical breach followed by facet joint violation. The new trajectory also offered significantly longer maximum allowable screw length in unilaminar (32.5±4.3 mm vs. 26.5±2.6 mm, p<0.001), bilaminar cephalic (29.5±3.8 mm vs. 25.9±2.6 mm, p<0.0001) and bilaminar caudal (33.1±2.6 mm vs. 25.8±3.1 mm, p<0.001) screws than the old trajectory. With the new and old trajectories, 70% vs. 6% of unilaminar, 60% vs. 2% of bilaminar caudal, and 32% vs. 4% of bilaminar cephalic screws could be protracted perfectly into the corresponding lateral mass without any laminar cortical or facet joint violation (p<0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS: The novel trajectory possesses a substantially higher success rate, longer maximum allowable screw length, and higher chance to be extended into the lateral mass (a condition known as a lamino-lateral mass screw) than the old trajectory.
METHODS: The scope of this post-hoc study was subgroup analysis by race to compare the efficacy and safety of SB12 and ECU in PNH patients in the Asian and Non-Asian subgroups of the Phase III study.
RESULTS: Results including lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), number of units of packed red blood cells and safety as primary and secondary endpoints demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety of SB12 and ECU in Asian and Non-Asian PNH patients, in line with the study results in the overall population. In addition, transfusion avoidance (68.1% for SB12 vs. 72.9% for ECU, p-value of 0.4492) and hemoglobin stabilization (SB12-ECU: 6.3%, 95% confidence interval [CI] [-21.5, 34.1] and SB12-ECU: 2.5%, 95% CI [-24.8, 29.8] using stringent criteria) as post-hoc endpoints were not substantially different between SB12 and ECU treatment groups in the overall population as well as in Asians and Non-Asians.
CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this subgroup analysis by race (Asians and Non-Asians) supports comparable efficacy and safety between SB12 and reference eculizumab in global PNH patients including no difference in transfusion avoidance effect.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to characterize the perfusion patterns on perfusion computed tomography (PCT) in patients with seizures masquerading as acute stroke.
METHODS: We conducted a study on patients with acute seizures as stroke mimics. The inclusion criteria for this study were patients (1) initially presenting with stroke-like symptoms but finally diagnosed to have seizures and (2) with PCT performed within 72 h of seizures. The PCT of seizure patients (n = 27) was compared with that of revascularized stroke patients (n = 20) as the control group.
RESULTS: Among the 27 patients with seizures as stroke mimics, 70.4% (n = 19) showed characteristic PCT findings compared with the revascularized stroke patients, which were as follows: (1) multi-territorial cortical hyperperfusion {(73.7% [14/19] vs. 0% [0/20], p = 0.002), sensitivity of 73.7%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 80%}, (2) involvement of the ipsilateral thalamus {(57.9% [11/19] vs. 0% [0/20], p = 0.007), sensitivity of 57.9%, NPV of 71.4%}, and (3) reduced perfusion time {(84.2% [16/19] vs. 0% [0/20], p = 0.001), sensitivity of 84.2%, NPV of 87%}. These 3 findings had 100% specificity and positive predictive value in predicting patients with acute seizures in comparison with reperfused stroke patients. Older age was strongly associated with abnormal perfusion changes (p = 0.038), with a mean age of 66.8 ± 14.5 years versus 49.2 ± 27.4 years (in seizure patients with normal perfusion scan).
CONCLUSIONS: PCT is a reliable tool to differentiate acute seizures from acute stroke in the emergency setting.
Methods: We collected information on legal measures and governance from both general citizens and workers regarding infection risks such as COVID-19 from industrial hygiene professionals in nine countries (Indonesia, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Republic of the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand) using a structured questionnaire.
Results: A governmental body overseeing public health and welfare was in charge of containing the spread and occurrence of infectious diseases under an infectious disease control and prevention act or another special act, although the name of the pertinent organizations and legislation vary among countries. Unlike in the case of other traditional hazards, there have been no specific articles or clauses describing the means of mitigating virus risk in the workplace that are legally required of employers, making it difficult to define the responsibilities of the employer. Each country maintains own legal systems regarding access to the duration, administration, and financing of paid sick leave. Many workers may not have access to paid sick leave even if it is legally guaranteed.
Conclusion: Specific legal measures to manage infectious disease risks, such as providing proper personal protective equipment, education, engineering control measures, and paid sick leave are recommended to be stipulated in Industrial safety and health-related acts.
Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11482-021-10024-w.