Objective To evaluate the methodological and reporting quality of randomized controlled trials involving traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of cholelithiasis. Methods We searched CNKI (1994 to 2007), CMCC (1994 to 2007), VIP (1989 to 2007), MEDLINE (1966 to April 2007) and The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2006). Data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs were extracted by two reviewers independently. The methodological quality of included trials was assessed by using the quality assessment criteria recommended by The Cochrane Collaboration, and the reporting quality was assessed by using the CONSORT for TCM checklist. Results Seventeen studies including 16 RCTs and one quasi-RCT were included. The methodological and reporting qualities of included studies were generally low. All studies were graded C. The highest score evaluated by the CONSORT for TCM checklist was 18. Conclusion The quality of RCTs and quasi-RCTs involving traditional Chinese medicine for cholelithiasis is generally low, with a high risk of biases. The reporting of these trials is also incomplete, which would affect a reader’s understanding and evaluation of the validity, importance and applicability of the study results. Therefore, new randomized controlled trials of high quality are required to provide reliable evidence.
A set of device for the in vivo measurement of the pressure difference between the anterior and the posterior chambers (PDAP) was designed to investigate the temporal varying rules of PDAP in the anterior segment of rabbit eyes. A platform was established for the in vivo measurement of PDPA according to the mechanism of joint implement. Rabbit models with high intraocular pressure (IOP) were constructed by means of injecting Carbomer into anterior chamber to increase IOP. The in vivo 24 hours continuous measurements of PDAP were performed for normal rabbit eye and eye with high IOP. The developed device could sensitively response to the small pressure difference in eye. The pressure difference in the normal rabbit eye varied with time, and the variation range during a whole day was 5.84–96.84 Pa which reflected the existence of physiological rule. For the rabbit eye with high IOP, pressure in anterior chamber was higher than that in posterior chamber which was in consistence with the theory of self-adaptation adjustment. The present study indicates that the approaches and device designed in this paper can well implement the measurement of PDAP as well as the temporal varying rules of PDAP in the anterior segment during a whole day.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Chinese medicine treatment of cholelithiasis. Methods We searched electronic databases including MEDLINE (1966 to Feb. 2009), EMbase (1974 to Feb. 2009), The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2008), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM, 1978 to Feb. 2009), CJFD (CNKI, 1994 to Feb. 2009), the Chinese Scientific and Technical Journals database (VIP, 1989 to Feb. 2009), and a database of Chinese biomedical journals (CMCC, 1994 to Feb. 2009). At the same time, we searched references of the included studies. Metaanalysis was performed using RevMan 5 if there was no significant heterogeneity. We described the date which could not be combined. Results A total of 18 randomized controlled trials involving 2 276 patients were included. According to measurement indicators and interventions, subgroup analysis was performed. Efficacy was reported in 10 studies, which showed that part of proprietary Chinese medicines had a higher efficiency for cholelithiasis. Gallbladder emptying index and the trend of bile into the stone were compared in 5 studies, suggesting that the bile of proprietary Chinese medicines reduced the stone index, which eased the bile tendency to rock. Three studies reported the rate of cholecystokinin. Metaanalysis results suggested that the difference was significant. Two studies reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs), such as epigastric discomfort and diarrhea. Most ADRs were slight, and could be self relieved. Conclusion Results suggest that Chinese medicines produce effects on clinical symptoms of cholelithiasis, gallbladder function and reduce the trend of bile into stones. However, the therapeutic effects for long-term are rarely reported. The conclusion needs further verification due to low methodological quality and apparent heterogeneity.
There are so many biomechanical risk factors related with glaucoma and their relationship is much complex. This paper reviewed the state-of-the-art research works on glaucoma related mechanical effects. With regards to the development perspectives of studies on glaucoma biomechanics, a completely novel biomechanical evaluation factor -- Fractional Flow Reserve (FPR) for glaucoma was proposed, and developing clinical application oriented glaucoma risk assessment algorithm and application system by using the new techniques such as artificial intelligence and machine learning were suggested.