Objective To explore the teaching effects of problem-based learning (PBL) in diagnostic practice teaching. Methods A total of 32 students enrolled into PBL group adopted the PBL teaching method based on certain cases in some sections while the other 210 students into the control group adopted the traditional teaching method. Their scores in the theory, the practice skill examination and the evaluation of the analytical ability of the medical records were compared. A questionnaire survey was measured in PBL group after class. Results There was no significant difference in scores of theory and practice skill examination in the two groups. The questionnaire survey revealed that the PBL method could improve the learning interest, independent study, b communication, analytical skills, and team spirit. However, there were defects in systematization of imparting knowledge. Conclusion The PBL method has an obvious advantage in diagnostic practice teaching.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of statins on amino-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), grade of New York Heart Association (NYHA), and ejection fraction (EF) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) using marginal structural model. MethodsA total of 297 patients with CHF from two medical centers in Shanxi province were sequentially enrolled from January 2018 to December 2020. The medical records were collected. Confounding factors were analyzed by t-test, Chi-square test and logistic regression. The random forest algorithm was used to estimate the weight of inverse probability. The marginal structural model was applied to evaluate the effects of statins. ResultsUsing logistic regression to exclude the influence of baseline confounders, the results showed that statins had no significant effect on the level of NT-proBNP in patients with CHF. The marginal structural model which excluded the influence of baseline confounders, time-dependent confounders and treatment conversion factors showed that statins significantly reduced NT-proBNP (OR=0.699, 95%CI 0.528 to 0.926, P=0.012). Statins had no significant effects on NYHA and EF. ConclusionStatins can effectively reduce the level of NT-proBNP in patients with CHF.
Objective To assess the safety and effect of different intravenous chemotherapic regimens in patients with gastric carcinomas who had received gastrectomy. Method A systematic review of all the relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed. RCTs were identified from Medline and Embase (1980-2001.4), Chinese Bio-medicine Database (1990-2001.1). Literature references were checked at the same time. We included randomized andquasi-randomized trials in patients with confirmed gastric carcinomas who had received gastrectomy comparing the effect of intravenous chemotherapy after gastrectomy with that of gastrectomy alone.Results Twenty trials involving 4 171 patients were included. Meta-analysis was done with fixed effects model. Heterogeneity analyses was performed also. The effects of intravenous chemotherapy with 5FU + MCCNU, 5FU + MMC, 5FU + BCNU or FAM after gastrectomy were failed to show have better effects than that of surgery alone. There were eleven trials which detailed the side effects according to the toxicity grade by WHO standard. The side effects halting treatment were haematologic and biochemical toxicity, debilitating nausea and vomiting. There were twenty-two patients died of chemotherapic toxicity. Conclusions Based on the review, there is no enough evidence to show that intravenous chemotherapy after gastrectomy have positive treatment effect on gastric cancer.
Objective To explore the effect of " closed-loop rehabilitation”-based digital mirror therapy (MT) on the recovery of upper limb function after stroke. Methods Between December 2017 and April 2018, 90 stroke patients were recruited and randomly assigned to digital MT group (MG) or conventional group (CG), with 45 in each group. Patients in MG received digital MT for 60 minutes and subsequent hand function rehabilitation for 30 minutes, which was a " closed-loop rehabilitation”; moreover, patients in CG received therapeutic exercises, occupational therapy, and hand function rehabilitation for 30 minutes separately (totally 90 minutes). Both interventions were daily provided, 5 days per week and lasting for 4 weeks. Clinical assessments were provided before and after the interventions, including the Fugl-Meyer Assessment Upper Limb (FAM_UL) for motor function evaluation, the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) for the activities of daily life (ADL) evaluation, and the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) for the spasticity of wrist extensor/flexor. Results Five patients did not complete the study (3 in MG and 2 in CG), so there were totally 85 subjects analysed in the end. After 4-week interventions, significant improvements of FMA_UL scores (Pre: MG, 25.86±17.41; CG, 21.71±15.60. Post: MG, 33.43±17.08; CG, 26.48±16.47) and MBI scores (Pre: MG, 66.62±21.73; CG, 59.14±21.58. Post: MG, 84.62±15.06; CG, 71.10±19.95) were found in both groups; moreover, higher scores of FMA_UL and MBI were investigated in MG comparing with CG after interventions. However, there were no significantly differences in MAS. Conclusions The " closed-loop rehabilitation”-based digital MT can improve the motor function of upper limb and the ability of ADL in patients with stroke. Moreover, it is more effective than conventional treatments.