Objective To evaluate the reporting quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture for acute ischemic stroke. Methods Six databases including The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, Issue 4, 2005), MEDLINE (1966 to December 2005), EMbase (1984 to December 2005), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI, 1994 to December 2005), China Biomedicine Database disc (CBMdisc, 1980 to December 2005), VIP (a full text issues database of China, 1989 to December 2005) were searched systematically. Handsearch for further references was conducted. Language was limited to Chinese and English. We identified 74 RCTs that used acupuncture as an intervention and assessed the quality of these reports against the Consolidated Standards for Reporting of Trials (CONSORT) statement and Standards for Reporting Interventions in Controlled Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA).Results In regard to the items in the CONSORT statement, 54 (73%) RCTs described baseline demographic and clinical characteristics in each group. Twenty-six (35%) mentioned the method of generating the random sequence, with 4 (5%) using a computer allocation. Only 6 (8%) RCTs had adequate allocation concealment, with 5 RCTs using sealed opaque envelopes and 1 RCT using centralized computer allocation. Only 8 (11%) RCTs used blinding, including 5 described as double-blind. Four (5%) RCTs reported the sample size calculation and 5 (7%) RCTs reported that an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis. In regard to the items in STRICTA , only 4 (5%) RCTs reported the numbers of needles inserted. In 35 (47%) RCTs the needle type was reported, but only 26 (35%) mentioned the depths of insertion. Only 1 (1%) RCT mentioned the length of clinical experience and 6 (8%) RCTs reported the background of the acupuncture practitioners, but none stated the duration of their training.Conclusion The reporting quality of RCTs of acupuncture for acute ischemic stroke was low. The CONSORT statement and STRICTA should be used to standardize the reporting of RCTs of acupuncture.
Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (PLAM) is a rare chronic multi-system neoplastic disease that occurs in women of childbearing age. It lacks specific clinical manifestations and requires reliable biomarkers to achieve precise management. In recent years, with the emergence of emerging biomarkers, the detection rate of PLAM has been significantly improved, which can better monitor disease progression and provide timely feedback on the efficacy. These emerging biomarkers mainly include vascular endothelial growth factor-D, vitamin D-binding protein, CT score and prostaglandins. This article will focus on the current research results, and summarize the research progress of emerging biomarkers in PLAM diagnosis, prognosis evaluation, and disease monitoring, aiming to provide new ideas for the research and treatment of PLAM.
Objective To systematically review the effect of vitamin D (VitD) supplementation on cognitive function in people with cognitive impairment and non-cognitive disorders. MethodsThe PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMbase, CBM, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP databases were searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the effect of VitD supplementation on cognitive function of patients with cognitive impairment or non-cognitive disorders from inception to March, 2022. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed using RevMan 5.4 software. Results A total of 19 articles including 8 684 cases were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score (MD=1.70, 95%CI 1.20 to 2.21, P<0.01), Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) score (MD=1.51, 95%CI 1.00 to 2.02, P<0.01), Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-RC) score (MD=9.12, 95%CI 7.77 to 10.47, P<0.01) and working memory (SMD=1.87, 95%CI 1.07 to 2.67, P<0.01) in the VitD group of patients with cognitive impairment were all better than those in the control group. However, the overall cognitive function and working memory of the non-cognitive impairment population were not significantly different compared with the control group. In terms of language fluency and language memory, there was no significant difference between the VitD group and the control group. In terms of the executive functions, at the intervention time of> 6 months, the VitD and control groups were statistically significant (SMD=0.15, 95%CI 0.01 to 0.28, P=0.03). Conclusion Current evidence suggests that VitD supplementation can effectively improve the overall cognitive function and working memory of patients with cognitive impairment, and has a positive effect on executive function at an intervention time of >6 months. Due to the limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high-quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
Objective To investigate the attitudes of Chinese doctors towards the difficulties they have concerning the involvement of patients in decision-making about treatment. Method We surveyed 1 088 doctors at different levels (70% internal medicine, 22% general surgery, 8% gynecology) from 20 general hospitals and 5 university hospitals covering 25 provinces and cities in China, using a simple questionnaire, which we had developed. Results A total of 780 doctors returned the questionnaire and of these only 488 (62%) had completed it. The difficulties that doctors were most concerned about focused on lack of time (27%), expressing uncertainties to patients (15%), dealing with patients who have little medical knowledge (13%), eliciting patients’ preferences (12%), and establishing a stable relationship (9%). Conclusion Increasing their knowledge of patient involvement in making treatment decisions may reinforce appropriate attitudes towards this concept among doctors.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the diagnostic value of the ultrasonographic elastography in the differential diagnosis of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer.MethodsWe electronically searched the databases including The Cochrane Library, PubMed, CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP, MedaLink and CBM for studies about diagnostic value of the ultrasonographic elastography in the differential diagnosis of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer from inception to October 2016. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Then meta-analysis was performed using MetaDisc 1.4 software.ResultsA total of 9 studies involving 735 lymph nodes were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that, the pooled sensitivity, pooled specificity, pooled positive likelihood ratio, pooled negative likelihood ratio and DOR were 0.82 (95%CI 0.78 to 0.86), 0.76 (95%CI 0.72 to 0.81), 3.32 (95%CI 2.57 to 4.27), 0.25 (95%CI 0.20 to 0.31), and 14.77 (95%CI 10.20 to 21.38), respectively. The AUC of the SROC curve was 0.8741.ConclusionUltrasonographic elastography has high sensitivity and specificity in the differential diagnosis of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer, which indicates that it can be used to diagnosis axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer.
ObjectiveThe aim of this paper is to summarize the advantages and disadvantages of non-surgical treatments of the enterocutaneous fistula, in order to give some advice.MethodsPubmed, EMBASE, Medline, CNKI, and Wanfang databases were retrieved for the published article addressing the non-surgical treatments of enterocutaneous fistula between 2004 to 2018. The keywords were " enterocutaneous fistula” in English and Chinese, respectively. The non-surgical treatments of enterocutaneous fistula were reviewed.ResultsThe results of this search suggested that non-surgical treatments of the enterocutaneous fistula mainly include fibrin glue, endoscopic treatment, laser ablation, and somatostatin. Fibrin glue was widely used at domestic and abroad, but it needed repeated operations. Endoscopic treatment of enterocutaneous fistula required a certain professional foundation; laser ablation technology was still immature and required theoretical data support. Now, the use of somatostatin was controversial.ConclusionEach of measures have its advantages and disadvantages, we should determine according to the patient’s condition and economic situation.
ObjectiveTo summarize the experience of diagnosis and treatment of a patient with liver and lung metastasis and retroperitoneal metastasis from right colon cancer.MethodsA retrospective analysis of a patient with liver, lung, and retroperitoneal metastasis from right colon cancer who received treatment at The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University in August 2016 was conducted. In order to provide reference for domestic doctors to treat advanced colorectal cancer.ResultsAfter receiving several cycles of chemotherapy and three surgical resections of the primary and metastatic lesions before the MDT, the patient again found a retroperitoneal mass. After discussions of Department of Imaging, Oncology, Radiotherapy, and Gastrointestinal and Hernia Surgery, we thought that, at present, the treatment of the patient was mainly surgery and oral chemotherapy. So the patient underwent retroperitoneal tumor resection+abdominal adhesion release, and had been interviewed for 3 months. No recurrence or metastasis was found during follow-up.ConclusionThe therapy of liver-lung metastasis and retroperitoneal metastasis in right colon cancer are mainly based on surgical resection of lesions, postoperative combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, and postoperative monitoring of CEA changes.
There is a bidirectional association between tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) and colorectal cancer. Small molecular substances metabolized by colorectal cancer affect the reprogramming of TAM, and TAM in turn regulates the biological behavior of colorectal cancer cells by secreting small molecular substances, and promotes the progression of colorectal cancer. In addition, gut microbiota metabolites are closely related to TAM reprogramming, and intestinal flora imbalance leads to gut barrier damage, favoring bacterial translocation and causing chronic tumorigenic inflammation. Studying the reprogramming mechanism affecting TAM and its relationship with the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer may provide new ideas for the study of immunotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer. This article reviews the research progress of TAM in patients with colorectal cancer, aims to provide a reference for clinical research.
Objective To assess whether the results of clinical trials on systematic reviews presented in different ways would influence postgraduates’ perception of risk and clinical decision after attending a research design course. Methods We distributed a questionnaire to all postgraduates who attended the final examination. The questionnaire presented the results of a systematic review. Data were presented in four different ways in the following order: as a relative risk reduction (RRR), as an absolute risk reduction (ARR), as the proportion of difference in event-free patients (EFP), and as the number of patients who needed to be treated to prevent one death (NNT). We asked all postgraduates to mark their decisions along a linear scale. Results We distributed and retrieved 342 questionnaires. Three were incomplete and excluded from our analyses. The results showed that the mean score and recommended level were significantly higher when data were expressed as NNT compared with RRR, ARR and EFP (Plt;0.01). There was no difference among RRR, ARR and EFP. However, 279 postgraduates’ score ranges were greater than 4 among the four different presentations. Conclusion The way of presenting data has significant influence on postgraduates’ perception of risk and their clinical decisions, even after a course teaching them about research design. Further improvements are needed for teachers on how to interprete different ways of presenting risk and their clinical importance.