Objective To systematically evaluate the effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) combined with low-dose glucocorticoid for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Methods Such databases as The Cochrane Library (Issue 12, 2012), EMbase (January 1974 to July 2012), PubMed (January 1966 to July 2012), CHEST (January 1995 to July 2012), CNKI (January 1994 to July 2012), CBM (January 1978 to July 2012), VIP (January 1989 to July 2012) and WanFang Data (January 1995 to July 2012) were searched to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about NAC combined with low-dose glucocorticoid versus glucocorticoid alone for IPF patients. Two reviewers independently screened the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted the data, and assessed the quality, and then the meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.1 software. Results A total of seven RCTs including 264 IPF patients were included. The results of meta-analysis demonstrated that, compared with the glucocorticoid used alone, a) NAC combined with low-dose glucocorticoid could significantly improve PaO2 (SMD=0.82 mmHg, 95%CI 0.30 to 1.35, P=0.002) and DLco (SMD=0.59 mmHg, 95%CI 0.16 to 1.03, P=0.008) with a significant difference. b) NAC combined with low-dose glucocorticoid could significantly improve all clinical symptoms (RR=1.56, 95%CI 1.26 to 1.92, Plt;0.000 1). Conclusion NAC combined with low-dose glucocorticoid for IPF patients can significantly improve PaO2, DLco, and the clinical symptoms such as cough, difficulty breathing after activities, cyanosis, and Velcro rales. Due to the quantity and quality limitation of included studies, this conclusion still needs to be further proved by more high quality and double blind RCTs.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of low-dose aspirin on the deposition of platelet at the anastomotic site and the function of coagulation system in order to provide experimental data for clinical use. METHODS: (1) Twenty-eight SD rats were divided into experimental group (n = 21) and control group (n = 7), aspirin were administered through a catheter placed in the femoral vein in dose of 4 mg/kg in the experimental group and the same dose of normal saline in the control group. The experimental group was subdivided into 3 groups, with 7 rats in each group, according to survival time of 24, 48 and 72 hours after dose. Samples of 4 ml blood were taken by heart puncture from each rat to investigate the maximal platelet aggregation rate(MAR), prothrombin time(PT) and kaolin partial thromboplastin time(KPTT). (2) Sixteen New Zealand White rabbits were divided into experimental and control group, 8 rabbits in each group. Drugs were given in the same way. Forty-eight hours later, the bilateral femoral arteries of each rabbit were exposed and arteries between inguinal ligament and the origin of the superficial epigastric arteries were transected and end-to-end anastomosis was completed with interrupted suturing technique. Fifteen and 120 minutes after the recovery of blood flow, the left and the right vessels containing anastomotic sites were harvested respectively and treated with 125I-labeled anti-GP IIb/III a antibody (SZ-21) using radioimmunobinding method. The radioactivities of the anastomosed vessels were measured. RESULTS: The KPTT in the experimental group was longer than that of the control group at 24- and 48-hour group, the mean percentages of increase were 42.56% and 35.33% respectively, and there were very significant differences between the experimental and control group in 24-hour group (P lt; 0.001). The PT value in experimental group was longer than that of the control group, but there was no significant difference (P gt; 0.05), and the maximal aggregation rate of platelet in the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group after 72 hours (P lt; 0.001). The radioactivity of the anastomosed arteries in the experimental group were significantly higher than that of the control group (P lt; 0.001) at 15 minutes after the recovery of blood flow, the mean percentage of increase was 110%. CONCLUSION: Low-dose aspirin can significantly affect the function of the intrinsic coagulation system, prevent the aggregation of platelets, but no effect on the function of the extrinsic coagulation system. On the other hand, it can also increase the deposition of platelet on the anastomotic sites after end-to-end anastomosis, especially in the early stage when it is intravenously injected, but it is b enough to cause thrombosis at the anastomotic sites. The effects of low dose aspirin on the coagulation system are inconsistent with its local effects on anastomotic sites.
Objective To evaluate safty and effects of a single photodynamic therapy(PDT) for circumscribed choroid hemangiomas. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of 11 eyes of 10 patients who were reated with single standard PDT. Of 10 patients, 6 males, 4 females；mean 40 .2 years old；of 11 eyes, 6 left eyes, 5 right eyes; 1 patient who both eyes wer e involved. Follow-up time varied from 1month to 14months, mean 6.2 month. Results After treatment, all tumors show various degrees of regression and subretinal fluid were absorbed completely or partly. The visual acuity of 8 eyes improved; that of 3 eyes unchanged. Conclusions PDT is effective modality for circumscribed choroid hemangiomas. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2008,24:111-113)