ObjectiveTo investigate the status of research and development methods of Cochrane overviews. MethodsThe Cochrane Library and PubMed were searched up to March 2014 to identify Cochrane overviews. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed and analyzed search strategy, quality assessment method, data analysis, and study results. ResultsA total of 18 Cochrane overviews were included. Among them, 4 (22.2%) overviews included formal statistical indirect comparison; 8 (44.4%) included only results from direct comparison; 6 (33.4%) only systematically analyzed current studies without data pooling; 12 (66.7%) only searched The Cochrane Library, while 6 (33.3%) expanded search to other databases; 14 (77.8%) applied the AMSTAR tool to assess methodological quality of included literature; 12 (66.7%) applied the GRADE system to assess the quality of evidence; and 9 (50%) yielded new outcomes. ConclusionCurrently, the development and reporting standards of Cochrane overviews are still immature. Investigators should choose proper methods based on research objectives when developing Cochrane overviews.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the effects of Liujunzi decoction on improving the quality of life (QOL) of patients with advanced primary liver cancer. MethodsDatabases including MEDLINE, EMbase, SCI, The Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2014), CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were searched electronically from inception to July 2014 to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about Liujunzi Decoction for advanced primary liver cancer. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software. ResultsA total of 7 RCTs involving 458 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that the Liujunzi decoction group had significantly higher stability of QOL (RR=0.76, 95%CI 0.64 to 0.91, P=0.002), Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS) (MD=4.47, 95%CI 2.74 to 6.21, P<0.00001) and effective rate of TCM syndrome (RR=0.73, 95%CI 0.62 to 0.86, P=0.0001) than those of the control group. ConclusionCurrent evidence shows that Liujunzi decoction could improve the QOL and KPS, and relieve TCM syndromes of patients with advanced primary liver cancer, especially for those with spleen deficiency-syndrome. Due to the limited quantity and quality of the included studies, the above conclusion still needs to be verified by carrying out more high-quality RCTs.
As a worldwide challenge in the field of neurosurgery, there is no effective treatment method for pediatric skull defects repair in clinic. Currently clinical used cranioplasty materials couldn’t undergo adjustment in response to skull growth and deformation. An ideal material for pediatric cranioplasty should fulfill the requirements of achieving complete closure, good osseointegration, biodegradability and conformability, sufficient cerebral protection and optimal aesthetic, and functional restoration of calvaria. Biomimetic mineralized collagen-based bone material is a kind of material that simulates the microstructural unit of natural bone on the nanometer scale. Because of its high osteogenic activity, it is widely used in repair of all kinds of bone defects. Recently, the biomimetic mineralized collagen-based bone materials have successfully been applied for cranial regeneration and repair with satisfactory results. This review mainly introduces the characteristics of the biomimetic mineralized collagen-based bone materials, the advantages for the repair of pediatric skull defects, and the related progresses.
Evidence-based research is the essential method for the modernization of traditional medicine. China and Japan have made great progress in traditional Chinese medicine and Japanese Kampo medicine after years of evidence-based research, but there are also shortcomings. This paper compares the current situation of evidence-based research in traditional medicine from the aspects of the system of clinical evidence production and evaluation, standardization of clinical research report, standardization of traditional medicine in China and Japan, evaluation of the totality of clinical evidence via systematic review, application of clinical evidence via clinical practice guideline and development of research methodology. The purpose of this paper is to seek mutually complementary fields, and to provide enlightenment for future Chinese medicine and Japanese Kampo medicine evidence-based cooperation research.
Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of letrozole combined with metformin in the treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) infertility. Methods PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chongqing VIP, Wanfang, and SinoMed were searched from establishment to December 31, 2022. The literature on randomized controlled trials of letrozole combined with metformin in the treatment of PCOS infertility were included. RevMan 5.4 software was used for meta-analysis. Results A total of 29 articles including 3226 subjects were included, with trial group of 1614 treated with letrozole combined with metformin, and control group of 1612 treated with letrozole alone. The meta-analysis results showed that the clinical pregnancy rate [relative risk (RR)=1.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.61, 1.92)], induced ovulation rate [RR=1.22, 95%CI (1.17, 1.28)], and number of dominant follicles [mean difference (MD)=1.15, 95%CI (0.86, 1.43)] in the trial group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The follicle growth time [MD=−5.41 d, 95%CI (−6.03, −4.80) d], estradiol level [MD=−7.57 pmol/L, 95%CI (−10.59, −4.56) pmol/L], luteinizing hormone level [MD=−2.27 U/L, 95%CI (−2.59, −1.95) U/L], testosterone level [MD=−1.29 nmol/L, 95%CI (−1.74, −0.85) nmol/L], fasting blood glucose level [MD=−0.91 mmol/L, 95%CI (−1.71, −0.65) mmol/L], fasting insulin level [MD=−25.93 pmol/L, 95%CI (−29.06, −22.80) pmol/L], insulin resistance index [MD=−1.40, 95%CI (−1.61, −1.19)], and the incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome [RR=0.44, 95%CI (0.22, 0.88)] in the trial group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in follicle stimulating hormone level, incidence of adverse reactions, and spontaneous abortion rates between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Existing evidence suggests that compared to using trazole alone, the combination of letrozole and metformin can improve ovulation induction and pregnancy outcomes in patients with PCOS infertility. The combination of the two drugs can reduce levels of estradiol, testosterone, and luteinizing hormone in patients, while effectively reducing the incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
Objective To summarize our initial experience in robot-assisted lobectomy for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC）. Methods A total of 20 NSCLC patients underwent robot-assisted pulmonary lobectomy in General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command from March to September 2012. There were 13 males and 7 females, and their age was 43-80 （60.40±8.07） years. Single-direction thoracoscopic lobectomy technique was used，and systemic mediastinal and hilar lymph node dissection was routinely performed during the operation. There were 4 right upper lobectomies，7 right lower lobectomies，1 right middle lobectomy，7 left lower lobectomies，and 1 left upper lobectomy. Results Postoperative pathological examination showed adenocarcinoma in 12 patients，squamous cell carcinoma in 5 patients，adenosquamous carcinoma in 2 patients，and mucoepidermoid carcinoma in 1 patient. One patient undergoing left upper lobectomy had intraoperative pulmonary artery bleeding of 500 ml，who was healed by pulmonary artery repair via an accessory small incision and blood transfusion of 400 ml. All the other 19 patients successfully underwent robot-assisted lobectomy with their mean intraoperative blood loss of 60.00±42.95 （10-200） ml, and no blood transfusion was needed for them. All the patients were successfully extubated after operation, and none of the patients had severe postoperative complication. The mean thoracic drainage time was 9.35±3.48 （3-15） days. All the patients were discharged uneventfully and followed up for 2-9 （6.01±2.09） months without recurrence or metastasis. Conclusions Robot-assisted pulmonary lobectomy using Da Vinci S Surgical System is safe and feasible，and especially advantageous for lymph node dissection. It can be used for the treatment of early stage NSCLC.
Objective To investigate application values and techniques of robot-assisted extended thymectomy for the treatment of typeⅠmyasthenia gravis （MG） using Da Vinci S system. Methods We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 3 patients with MG who underwent robot-assisted extended thymectomy in General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command from March 2012 to September 2012. All the patients were ocular MG （typeⅠ） including 2 men （33 years and 66 years old respectively） and 1 woman （21 years old）. Surgical outcomes were analyzed. Results All the 3 patients successfully received robot-assisted extended thymectomy without accessorial incisions. None of the patients required converting to open sternotomy or postoperative reexploration for bleeding. Intraoperative blood loss was 5-10 ml．Overall operation time was95-138 minutes, and thymoma dissection time was 26-80 minutes. No myasthenic crisis or other major postoperative complic-ation occurred. Postoperative chest drainage duration was 3-9 days and postoperative hospital stay was 10-15 days. Two patientswere followed up for 6-12 months after discharge without MG recurrence. Conclusion Robot-assisted extended thymectomy is safe and feasible for the treatment of typeⅠMG with satisfactory results．
ObjectiveTo investigate the basic operation and treatment experiences of the surgical treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS). MethodsClinical data of 1 024 cases of BCS who received surgical treatment in our hospital from April 1994 to December 2013 were collected and analyzed. ResultsThere were 1 024 cases in our study, 116 cases of them underwent surgery, 908 cases of them underwent interventional surgery; 265 cases underwent inferior vena cava (IVC) balloon dilatation, 464 cases underwent IVC balloon dilatation and stenting, 97 cases underwent open surgery of hepatic vein (HV), 52 cases underwent right atrium femoral vein combined membrane rupture balloon dilation stent, 7 cases underwent caval shunt, 20 cases underwent radical surgery, 45 cases underwent IVC-right atrium bypass, 6 cases underwent intestinal cavity-real shunt, 9 cases underwent intestinal cavity-neck combined shunt, 30 cases underwent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, 29 cases underwent intestinal-line real shunt. There were 902 cases were followed-up for 1 day-19 years (13 years on average), and the application of many kinds of operation strictly and flexibly brought satisfactory results for cases of BCS. ConclusionsThe diagnosis and classification of BCS will help us to make safe, effective, and appropriate treatment plan. In addition, we must use color Doppler ultrasound to observe the pathological changes of the situation, in this way we can have a clear goal in the treatment process.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility and safety of da Vinci robotic surgery for elderly patients with pulmonary lobectomy. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 50 patients in General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region of Thoracic Surgery between May 2012 and March 2015.The patients were divided into two groups. Twenty five patients aged over 70 years underwent radical operation of lung cancer with da Vinci Robot System were allocated into a robot group with 17 males and 8 females at age of 72.6 ±2.5 years. Another 25 senile patients with radical surgery by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) were allocated into a thoracoscopic group with 17 males and 8 females at age of 72.5±2.4 years. The patients in the two groups underwent pulmonary lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection. The clinical effect of the two groups was compared. ResultsAll patients were diagnosed as lung cancer. Twenty five patients all completed surgery under da Vinci Robot System in the robot group. In the thoracoscopic group, one patient was converted to thoracotomy. There were statistical differences in amount of blood loss (66.2±44.2 ml vs. 356.0±349.2 ml, P=0.000), lymph node number (23.2±9.8 vs. 11.3±5.6, P=0.012), and postoperative bed time (3.5±0.9 d vs. 4.2±1.1 d, P=0.017) between the two groups. Effect in the robot group was superior to that in the thoracoscopic group. ConclusionDa Vinci robotic surgery system for elderly patients with lung cancer radical surgery is safe, effective, and less thoracoscopic surgery trauma, recovery faster.