SSc patients are at high risk of developing cancer, especially of the lung, oral cavity and pharynx, and blood.

Hyperuricaemia was associated with an accelerated decline in eGFR and higher risk of CKD progression. Therefore, renal function should be monitored closely in patients with hyperuricaemia.

SSc patients had a threefold greater risk of all-cause mortality than the general population of Taiwan. Male sex, older age, diagnosis of cancer, and ESRD were risk factors for death.

Background Acne scars are common and challenging clinical complications of acne vulgaris. Ablative fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is a well-established treatment for acne scars; however, some postlaser adverse effects have been noted. Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can improve tissue regeneration. Several studies have investigated the efficacy of combination therapy of CO2 laser and PRP for acne scars. Objectives The authors sought to conduct a meta-analysis of the efficacy of PRP combined with ablative fractional CO2 laser for treating acne scars by examining clinical trial results. Methods A systematic review was performed by searching PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, and a meta-analysis was conducted to assess the clinical outcomes after combination therapy of PRP and ablative fractional CO2 laser compared with laser alone. Results We identified 4 eligible studies for the meta-analysis, including 3 randomized controlled trials. Our results demonstrated that clinical improvement after combination therapy was significantly higher than that after laser alone (odds ratio = 2.992, P = 0.001). Regarding major side effects, patients who underwent combination therapy experienced significantly shorter duration of crust compared with CO2 laser alone (standard mean difference = −1.140, P < 0.001); relatively shorter durations of erythema and edema were also noted after combination therapy. Furthermore, patient satisfaction rates were significantly higher after combination therapy than after laser alone (odds ratio = 3.169, P = 0.002). Conclusions The combination of autologous PRP and ablative fractional CO2 laser has synergistic positive effects on the clinical outcomes for acne scars and can accelerate the recovery of laser-damaged skin. Level of Evidence: 2

Oral acyclovir may be a relatively safe and effective treatment in the early course of PR, and patients with PR may achieve faster symptoms control with acyclovir.

No abstract

JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.. Palgrave Macmillan Journals and Operational Research Society are collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to The Journal of the Operational Research Society. This paper investigates the impact of ordering cost reduction on the modified continuous review inventory systems involving variable lead time with a mixture of backorders and lost sales. The objective is to simultaneously optimise the order quantity, ordering cost, reorder point and lead time. We first assume the lead time demand follows a normal distribution, then relax this assumption to consider the distribution free case where only the mean and variance of lead time demands are known. An algorithm procedure of finding the optimal solution is developed, and two numerical examples are given to illustrate the results.

In patients with a first acute STEMI without an associated RV infarction, depressed global LV function reflected by increased TDI-derived LV MPI, a lower mitral E/A ratio, and a higher glucose level on admission are independent correlates of early global RV dysfunction. Routine assessment of global RV function should be implemented in patients with STEMI with these characteristics.