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To explore the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and postoperative outcomes in patients with chronic sinusitis (CRS) after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). We conducted an observational cohort study of 1,047 patients with CRS undergoing ESS. Discharged patients were followed up to 72 weeks for all-cause recurrence events. Baseline SES was established based on occupation, education level, and family income of the patients 1 year before the operation. Kaplan–Meier method was used to calculate the recovery rate after ESS, and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between SES and prognosis. Patients of middle SES had lower unadjusted all-cause recurrence than those of low or high SES; 24-week overall recovery rate was 90.4% [95 % confidence interval (CI) : 89.6%–91.2%] in patients of middle SES, 13.5% (95 % CI : 12.8%–14.2%) in patients of low SES, and 31.7% (95 % CI : 30.7%–32.7%) in patients of high SES (both log-rank P < 0.001). After adjustment for covariates, hazard ratios (HRs) were 7.69 (95 % CI: 6.17–9.71, P trend < 0.001) for all-cause recurrence for low SES versus middle SES, and 6.19 (95 % CI : 4.78–7.93, P trend < 0.001) for middle SES versus high SES. Low SES and high SES were more associated with the worse prognosis of CRS patients after ESS than middle SES. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although several studies reported that Balloon kyphoplasty (BK) or percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) could improve pulmonary functions, there is no study to compare the efficacy and safety of 2 procedures in COPD patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) and investigate the reason why they could improve pulmonary functions.Method: Two procedures, including BK and PVP were performed in 61 COPD patients with single-level OVCFS. VAS-score, ODI, pulmonary function and radiological parameters (Anterior vertebral body height ratio, posterior vertebral body height ratio and Local kyphotic angle) were evaluated preoperatively and 1 week, 3 months and 12 moths postoperatively, respectively. The operation time and cement leakage rate were also recorded.Result: The operation time was longer in BK than PVP (37.5 ± 7.4 versus 27.6 ± 6.2 min per vertebra). Both groups got an equally significant improvement in pain relief, functional result, pulmonary functions and demonstrated similar cement leakage rate (BK: 6.5%; PVP: 10%). Radiologically, BK is favored than PVP. A significant relationship between VAS and pulmonary functions except FEV1 was observed in first week postoperatively, while the ODI was related to MVV in first 3 months postoperatively.Conclusion: Both BK and PVP provided equally significant back pain relief and improvements of respiratory functions in patients affected by COPD with single level OVCFs. BK was favored in radiography, this improvement was not related to pain relief and improvement of pulmonary functions. Given much higher cost of BK, similar effectiveness and safety of BK and PVP, in COPD patients with OVCFs, PVP may be a better choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Knowledge of essential amino acid requirements in infants is important because excessive intake of protein can lead to increased long-term morbidity such as obesity. A deficient intake may lead to suboptimal growth and impaired neurodevelopment. The current recommended branched-chain amino acid requirements in infants aged 0-1 mo are based on the amino acid content of human milk. Objective: We quantified the requirements for isoleucine, leucine, and valine for term neonates by using the indicator amino acid oxidation method with [1-13C]phenylalanine as the indicator. Design: Fully enterally fed term infants received randomly graded amounts of isoleucine (5-216 mg . kg-1 . d-1), leucine (5-370 mg . kg-1 . d-1), or valine (5-236 mg . kg-1 . d-1) as part of an elemental formula. Data are expressed as means ± SDs. Results: Eighty-three Asian, term neonates (mean ± SD birth weight: 3.3 ± 0.4 kg; gestational age: 39.4 ± 1.3 wk) were studied at a postnatal age of 13 ± 5 d. Mean requirements for isoleucine, leucine, and valine (measured in boys only) were 105 mg . kg-1 . d-1 (r2 = 0.61, P < 0.001), 140 mg . kg-1 . d-1 (r2 = 0.26, P < 0.01), and 110 mg . kg-1 . d-1 (r2 = 0.35, P = 0.001), respectively. Conclusions: Current human milk-based recommendations for isoleucine and valine in term infants aged 0-1 mo are correct. However, the current recommendation for leucine (166 mg . kg-1 . d-1) is higher than the mean requirement of 140 mg . kg-1 . d-1 that we determined in this study [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for lobectomy which is newly developed technology represents an important option for lung cancer due to less morbidity and mortality compare with open lobectomy. Although the total hospitalization costs were similar, CNY46,799.70 in VATS lobectomy group vs CNY45,321.98 in open group (P=0.478), the proportion of material cost in VATS was higher (44% vs. 37%, P<0.001). Meanwhile, although the consumable material cost proportion is higher in VATS group, the total hospitalization cost will not increase due to cost-savings in medicine and treatment costs. [Extracted from the article]