ObjectiveTo analyze the impact of high-quality nursing care on adult patients with asthma and asthma control. MethodsWe randomly chose 100 patients with asthma from June 2012 to July 2013, and the patients were randomly divided into experimental group (n=50) and control group (n=50). Patients in both the two groups received treatments based on the characteristics of the patients' condition. The control group received conventional care, while the experimental group received high-quality nursing care aimed to help them establish the concept of Asthma Prevention on the basis of the conventional care. Then, we analyzed the effect of nursing intervention in both groups. ResultsBefore the treatment, the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (%) and peak expiratory flow were not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, both groups had improvement in their lung function. However, improvement in lung function of the experimental group was significantly better than the control group (P<0.05). The disease remission level in the experiment group and the control group was respectively 86.0% (43/50) and 64.0% (32/50) (χ2=6.453, P=0.011). According to the Asthma Control Questionnare (5-item version), in the experimental group, 46 patients completed the assessment and the total control of asthma accounted for 34.8% (16/46), well-controlled asthma accounted for 50.0% (23/46), and uncontrolled asthma accounted for 15.2% (7/46); while in the control group, 48 patients completed the assessment and the total control of asthma accounted for 18.8% (9/48), well-controlled asthma accounted for 43.8% (21/48), and uncontrolled asthma accounted for 37.5% (18/48) (Z=-2.533, P=0.011). The average hospital stay for the experimental group and the control group was respectively 11.24 days and 12.16 days. ConclusionHigh-quality nursing care can improve the quality of life of adult asthma patients, improve the patients' lung function, and enhance the control of asthma.
Erythemato-squamous diseases are a general designation of six common skin diseases, of which the differential diagnosis is a difficult problem in dermatology. This paper presents a new method based on virtual coding for qualitative variables and multinomial logistic regression penalized via elastic net. Considering the attributes of variables, a virtual coding is applied and contributes to avoid the irrationality of calculating nominal values directly. Multinomial logistic regression model penalized via elastic net is thence used to fit the correlation between the features and classification of diseases. At last, parameter estimations can be attained through coordinate descent. This method reached accuracy rate of 98.34%±0.0027% using 10-fold cross validation in the experiments. Our method attained equivalent accuracy rate compared to the results of other methods, but steps are simpler and stability is higher.
The growing rate of public health problem for increasing number of people afflicted with poor sleep quality suggests the importance of developing portable sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring systems. The system could record the overnight EEG signal, classify sleep stages automatically, and grade the sleep quality. We in our laboratory collected the signals in an easy way using a single channel with three electrodes which were placed in frontal position in case of the electrode drop-off during sleep. For a test, either silver disc electrodes or disposable medical electrocardiographic electrodes were used. Sleep EEG recorded by the two types of electrodes was compared to each other so as to find out which type was more suitable. Two algorithms were used for sleep EEG processing, i.e. amplitude-integrated EEG (aEEG) algorithm and sample entropy algorithm. Results showed that both algorithms could perform sleep stage classification and quality evaluation automatically. The present designed system could be used to monitor overnight sleep and provide quantitative evaluation.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the risk factors in elderly patients with primary hypertension with morning blood pressure surge in China, so asto provide references for clinical treatment and prevention of complications. MethodsSuch databases as PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library (Issue 11, 2013), CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were electronically searched for the case-control studies about morning blood pressure surge (MBPS) among elderly patients with primary hypertension in China from January 2006 to June 2014 were collected. Literature was screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, data were extracted and the methodological quality of the included studies was assessed, and then meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.2 software. ResultsA total of 16 studies involving 2 007 cases were finally included, of which 956 cases were detected with MBPS. The results of meta-analysis showed that significant differences were found in glucose levels (MD=0.42, 95%CI 0.04 to 0.81, P=0.03), urinary microalbumin levels (MD=23.85, 95%CI 6.64 to 41.07, P=0.007), incidences of cerebrovascular events (OR=1.96, 95%CI 1.25 to 3.08, P=0.004), carotid atherosclerosis (OR=5.13, 95%CI 1.70 to 15.45, P=0.004) and left ventricular hypertrophy (OR=2.49, 95%CI 1.70 to 3.64, P < 0.000 01), left ventricular mass (MD=12.89, 95%CI 3.94 to 21.84, P=0.005), and carotid artery intima-media thickness (MD=0.08, 95%CI 0.02 to 0.14, P=0.009); while no significant difference was found in gender (OR=1.12, 95%CI 0.84 to 1.49, P=0.44), total cholesterol levels (MD=0.01, 95%CI-0.11 to 0.12, P=0.92), and creatinine levels (MD=1.77, 95%CI-1.16 to 4.70, P=0.24) between patients with or without MBPS. ConclusionCurrent evidence shows that glucose levels, early kidney damage, emergent cerebrovascular events and the reconstruction of the artery and the left ventricle are risk factors of abnormal MBPS in China. However, the above conclusion needs to be verified by further conducting high quality prospective studies.
ObjectiveTo prepare composite scaffold of different quality ratio of silk fibroin to collagen,analyze the scaffold performance,and optimize the quality ratio for chondrocyte tissue engineering. MethodsThe silk fibroin/collagen composite scaffold was made using a freeze-drying technique in different quality ratios of silk fibroin to collagen:4:2(group A),4:4(group B),and 4:8(group C).The porosity,water absorption expansion rate,mechanical properties,and pore size of composite scaffold were detected.The bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were isolated from 4-week-old male Wistar rats by density gradient centrifugation,and the third generation BMSCs were seeded onto the scaffolds at 2×107 cells/mL density,and were cultured for 14 days.The cell proliferation was detected using MTT assay at 1,3,5,7,9,11,and 13 days,the cell morphology and distribution were observed by HE staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). ResultsThe porosity of groups A,B,and C was 94.6%±1.6%,80.6%±1.1%,and 60.6%±1.0% respectively;and significant differences were found between group A and groups B and C,and between group B and group C (P<0.05).The water absorption expansion rates of groups A,B,and C were 1 523.7%±186.6%,1 091.0%±151.6%,and 659.6%±161.4% respectively,showing no significant difference among 3 groups (F=6.67,P=0.08).The elasticity modulus of groups A,B,and C were (23.1±2.5),(25.1±2.3),and (29.8±2.6) kPa respectively,showing no significant difference among 3 groups (F=2.00,P=0.28).The pore size of groups A,B,and C was (103±12),(80±15),and (60±16)μm respectively,showing no significant difference among 3 groups (F=2.22,P=0.26).MTT results showed that the cell proliferation in the group A at 7,9,11,and 13 days were better than those in groups B and C (P<0.05);at 14 days after cultivation,even pore size,good intercommunicating of holes,and good cells growth on the scaffolds with full extension and more extracellular matrix were seen under SEM in group A,but small pore size,poor intercommunicating of holes and poor cell growth on the scaffolds in groups B and C.HE staining and SEM results showed that the cells on the scaffold in group A was obviously more than those in groups B and C. ConclusionThe scaffold prepared in a quality ratio 4:2 of silk fibroin to collagen has better porosity,water absorption expansion rate,elasticity modulus,and pore size,on which the cells can grow well,so it is more suitable for cartilage tissue engineering.
ObjectiveTo discuss the possibility and safety of video-assisted thoracoscope surgery for pulmonary aspergilloma. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 39 patients with pulmonary aspergilloma in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital between June 2009 and May 2014. The patients were divided into two groups according to their operation method including a conventional thoracotomy surgery group (open group, n=11) and a video-assisted thoracoscope pneumonectomy group (VATS group, n=28). There were 8 male patients and 3 female patients with age of 29-64 (50.7±9.7) years in the open group. There were 13 male patients and 15 female patients with age of 20-75 (55.4±15.3) years in the VATS group. We compared clinical effectiveness between the two groups. ResultsThe operations of all patients were performed successfully. There were statistical differences between the two groups in the average length of operative time (P=0.001), the loss of intraoperative blood (P=0.005), and the score of pain (P=0.001). There was no statistical difference in lead flow of postoperative chest (P>0.05) and the time of hospitalization (P>0.05). ConclusionVideo-assisted thoracoscope surgery in the treatment of pulmonary aspergilloma could be feasible, safe, and effective based on our study. It is worth of clinical application and popularization．
The present study aimed to investigate the impact of hypothyroidism on left ventricular systolic function using real-time three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (RT3D-STI). Thirty hypothyroidism patients and forty healthy volunteers were recruited and received RT3D-STI measurement of global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), global radial strain (GRS), and global area strain (GAS). A comparison of differences between the hypothyroidism patients and those in the healthy group was carried out and we obtained the results as followings. The values of GLS were (-18.93°3.89) vs. (-21.44°1.99), with P<0.01, GRS were (51.13°11.95) vs. (56.10°5.76), with P<0.0; and GAS were (-31.63°5.38) vs. (-34.40°2.32), with P<0.01, i.e. they were lower in hypothyroidism group than those in the health group. While GCS were (-17.75°1.92) vs. (-17.03°3.45), with P>0.05, which were not significantly different between the two groups. In linear regression, GLS showed significant correlation with both TSH (b=-0.69, P<0.01) and FT3(b=0.71, P<0.01). Meanwhile, the GRS (b=2.98, P<0.05) and GAS (b=3.11, P<0.05) linearly correlated with FT3 level. In conclusion, the present study shows that the global longitudinal and radial moves of left ventricular are weaker in patients with hypothyroidism than healthy controls. And the impairment of left ventricular function would aggravate as FSH rises or FT3 declines.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the correlation between mTOR protein expression and different clinical pathological features as well as the response to radiotherapy and chemotherapy of cervical cancer. MethodsWe electronically searched databases including The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2015), PubMed, EMbase, CNKI, CBM, VIP and WanFang Data from inception to April 2015 to collect case-control studies investigating the correlation between mTOR protein expression and different clinical pathological features as well as the response to radiotherapy and chemotherapy of cervical cancer. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk bias of the included studies. Then meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.2 software. ResultsA total of 8 case-control studies involving 591 patients were included. Among these cases, 365 cases were in the cervical cancer group, 135 cases were in the cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) group, and 91 cases were in the normal cervix tissue group. The results of meta-analysis showed that:(1) Compared with the normal cervix tissue group, mTOR protein was overexpressed in the cervical cancer group (OR=24.14, 95%CI 4.47 to 130.35, P=0.000 2) and the CIN group (OR=4.71, 95%CI 2.15 to 10.33, P=0.000 1); Compared with the CIN group, mTOR protein was overexpressed in the cervical cancer group (OR=5.12, 95%CI 2.96 to 8.86, P<0.000 01). (2) Compared with the non-lymphnode-metastasis group, mTOR protein was overexpressed in the lymph node metastasis group (OR=3.29, 95%CI 1.61 to 6.69, P=0.001); Compared with the FIGO I group, mTOR protein was overexpressed in the FIGO Ⅱ group (OR=3.00, 95%CI 1.49 to 6.04, P=0.002); Compared with the radiotherapy and chemotherapy responsive group, mTOR protein was overexpressed in the non-response group (OR=15.64, 95%CI 3.17 to 77.15, P=0.000 7). In addition, there was no significant difference between the medium/high differentiation group and low differentiation group (OR=1.70, 95%CI 0.75 to 3.81, P=0.20). ConclusionmTOR protein expression is associated with cervical cancer, and mTOR protein overexpression was associated with lymph node metastasis, higher FIGO and non-response to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Due to the limited quantity and quality of the included studies, the above conclusion needs to be further verified by more high quality studies.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the relationship between Cadmium (Cd) level and Alzheimer's disease (AD). MethodWe searched PubMed, EMbase, CNKI, WanFang Data and CBM databases from inception to December 2014 to collect case-control studies about the relationship between Cd level and AD. Two reviewers screened literature, extracted data and evaluated the risk of bias of included studies, and then meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software. ResultsA total of 11 studies were included, among them 8 studies were included into final meta-analysis. Three studies including 154 patients and 141 controls reported the relationship of serum Cd concentrations and AD, and the result of meta-analysis showed that the higher serum Cd level was found in the AD group than the control group (SMD=0.36, 95%CI 0.12 to 0.59, P=0.003). Six studies including 358 patients and 423 controls reported the relationship of blood Cd concentrations and AD, and the result of meta-analysis showed that there was no significant difference of blood Cd levels between both groups (SMD=0.35, 95%CI -0.14 to 0.84, P=0.16). ConclusionSerum Cd concentrations may be associated with AD, but blood Cd concentrations not. Due to the limitation of quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) standardization is an important carrier for TCM inheriting and innovating. As an important content of TCM standardization system, TCM clinical practice guidelines' designation and revision play an important role for medical staff to regulate medical behavior, and improve the quality of health services. This paper expounds the significance and function of the TCM guidelines, analyzes the present situation, opportunities and challenges, and puts forward the strategies and suggestions to promote the development of evidence-based TCM guidelines.