Objective To systematically review the effectiveness of different therapies for chronic periapical lesion (CPL), such as different root canal surgeries and conventional root canal obturation. Methods The following databases such as The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMbase, VIP, CNKI, CMB and WanFang Data were searched to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and concurrent controlled trials (CCTs) on CPL treated by both conventional root canal obturation and different root canal surgeries such as periapical curettage, retrograde obturation and apicoectomy. The references of the included studies were also retrieved, and the retrieval time was from inception to October 2012. Two reviewers independently screened the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted the data, and assessed the quality. Then after cross-checking, the meta-analyses were performed by using RevMan 5.0 software. Results A total of 7 RCTs and 11 CCTs involving 1 663 patients were included. Among all 1 727 teeth, 1 661 met the inclusion criteria which contained 1 151 in the root canal surgeries groups, and 510 in the conventional groups. The methodological quality of all included studies was low. The results of meta-analysis showed that, in general, different root canal surgeries plus conventional root canal obturation were more effective than root canal obturation alone (RR=1.12, 95%CI 1.08 to 1.18, Plt;0.000 01). The results of sub-group analysis revealed that, the total effective rate of both retrograde obturation (RR=1.3, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.46, Plt;0.000 1) and apicoectomy (RR=1.23, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.46, P=0.02) was superior to that of periapical curettage, with significant differences in both sub-groups. But retrograde obturation took similar effect as apicoectomy did, without a significant difference (RR=0.96, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.11, P=0.61). Conclusion This systematic review suggests that, root canal obturation plus root canal surgeries is superior to root canal obturation alone in treating chronic periapical lesions. The comparison among different root canal surgeries reveals that, both apicoectomy and retrograde obturation are superior to periapical curettage. For the quantity and quality limitation of the included studies, additionally, the possibly existing bias because it is difficult to conduct surgeon and patient blind methods in root canal obturation and root canal surgeries in clinic, so the above conclusion has to be further proved by performing more well-designed and high quality RCTs.
Objective To systematically review the effectiveness and safety of autologous implantation of stem cells for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Methods Randomized controlled trials on relevant studies were retrieved in databases including CBM (1978-2011.6), CNKI (1979-2011.6), MEDLINE (1950-2011.6), PubMed (1950-2011.6), EMbase (1970-2011.6) and The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2011). References of the included studies were also retrieved. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.0 software.Results Four RCTs involving 68 patients (136 limbs) were included, most of which were low in methodological quality. The results of meta-analysis indicated that, autologous stem cell therapy improved or even eliminated DPN symptoms including pain, numbness, and cold sensation in the limbs, intermittent limping, and rest pain. Compared with the routine therapy, autologous stem cell therapy improved tibial sensory nerve conduction velocity (MD=5.75, 95%CI 3.86 to 7.64, Plt;0.000 01), tibial motor nerve conduction velocity (MD=4.04, 95%CI 0.90 to 7.18, P=0.001), sural sensory nerve conduction velocity (MD=7.47, 95%CI 4.00 to 10.94, Plt;0.000 1), and sural motor nerve conduction velocity (MD=3.38, 95%CI 0.07 to 7.58, P=0.05), with no adverse reaction reported. Conclusion Current evidence shows that, autologous stem cell therapy is effective in treating DPN. Due to the lack of high quality studies, more high quality RCTs are needed to verify the above conclusion.
Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of Chinese medicinal herbs for asymptomatic hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection. Data Source The trials registers of the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group, the Cochrane Library and the Cochrane Complementary Medicine Field were searched in combination with MEDLINE, EMBASE, and handsearches of Chinese journals and conference proceedings. Data Selection Randomized clinical trials with 3 months follow-up comparing Chinese medicinal herbs versus placebo, no intervention, non-specific treatment, or interferon treatment for asymptomatic HBV carriers were included. No language and blinding limitations were applied. Data Extraction Data were extracted independently by two reviewers. The methodological quality of trials was assessed by the Jadad-scale plus allocation concealment. Results Three randomized clinical trials (307 patients) with low methodological quality following patients for three months or more after the end of treatment were included. Herbal compound Jianpi Wenshen recipe showed significant effects on clearance of HBV markers compared to interferon: relative risk 2.40 (95 % CI 1.01 to 5.72) for clearance of serum HBsAg, and 2.54 (1.13 to 5.70) for seroconversion of HBeAg to anti-HBe. Phyllanthus amarus and Astragalus membranaceus showed no significant antiviral effect compared with placebo. Analysis of pooling eight randomized clinical trials with less than three months follow-up did not show a significant benefit of Chinese medicinal herbs on viral markers. No serious adverse event was observed. Conclusions There is insufficient evidence for treatment of asymptomatic HBVcarriers using Chinese medicinal herbs due to the low quality of the trials. Further randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trials are needed.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of genus Phyllanthus for chronic HBV infection. Design a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Methods Randomized trials comparing genus Phyllanthus versus placebo, no intervention, general non-specific treatment, other herbal medicine, or interferon treatment for chronic HBV infection were identified by electronic and manual searches. Trials of Phyllanthus herb plus interferon versus interferon alone were also included. No blinding and language limitations were applied. The methodological quality of trials was assesses, by the Jadadscale plus allocation concealment. Results Twenty-two randomized trials (n=1 947) were identified. The methodological quality was high in five double blind trials and rest was low. The combined results showed that Phyllanthus species had positive effect on clearance of serum HBsAg (relative risk 5.64, 95%C1 1.85 to 17.21) compared with placebo or no intervention. There was no significant difference on clearance of serum HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA between Phyllanthus and interferon. Phyllanthus species were better than non-specific treatment or other herbal medicines on clearance of serum HBeAg, HBeAg, HBV DNA, and liver enzyme normalization. Analyses showed a better effect of the Phyllanthus plus interferon combination on clearance of serum (1.56, 1.06 to 2.32) and HBV DNA (1.52, 1.05 to 2.21) than interferon alone. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions Based on the review Phyllanthus species may have positive effect on antiviral activity and liver biochemistry in chronic HBV infection. However, the evidence is not b due to the general low methodological quality and the variations of the herb. Further large trials are needed.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of amoxicillin/sulbactam (AMX/SBT) in the treatment of acute bacterial infections. Method A multicentre randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted. Ampicillin/sulbactam (AMP/SBT) was chosen as the control drug. 113 patients were enrolled in the study (58 cases in test group and 55 cases in control group). AMX/SUL and AMP/SUL were administered 4.5-6.0 g and 4.5-12.0 g every day respectively. Both drugs were given intravenously for 7-14 days. Results The cure rates and the efficacy rates of the two groups were 75.86%, 80.0% and 94.83%, 98.18% respectively. The β-lactamase producing rates were 67.35% , 69.57% and the bacterial clearance rates were 93.88%, 95.65%.There were no significant differences of the above results between the two groups (Pgt;0.05). There was no serious adverse drug reaction in AMX/SBT groups. Conclusion This study suggests that AMX/SBT is an effective and safe drug for treating acute bacterial infections.
Objective To assess efficacy of mepivacaine on local anesthesia in dentistry and oral surgery and its safety. Methods Parallel group, stratified randomization, double blinded, muti-center clinical trial was designed. Two percent lidocaine with adrenaline in same cartridge was as control. Healthy patients with deep decay, pulpitis needed operative dentistry, or indication for extraction of the teeth, which located in the maxilla or front part of the mandible were included. Results Except 17 cases, 127 patients fulfilled inclusion criteria: 66 in treatment group and 61 in control group, dental filling for 60 and extraction for 67 cases, male 55 and female 72, average at 38.84 + 12.06 years. Submucous infiltration of 1.5 ml mepivacaine at labial or buccal side of the alveolar process produced onset of anesthesia in the median of 60 seconds which was same as that of lidocaine, anesthesia duration for 146.7 minutes with the median of 125 minutes, permitting painless filling or extractions. In the treatment group 81.82% freed of pain, while 15.15% had slight pain but received no extra local anesthetic for implementation of the treatment procedures, making the successful rate of 96.97%. In the mepivacaine group, 13.64% of the cases had transient elevation of the systolic pressure to the level of 145-162 mmHg, 8.33% diastolic pressure to the level of 91-93 mmHg. Only one case had transient palpitation in half minute after one minute injection of the drug with no medical care needed. All the cardiovascular reactions might result from adrenaline containing in the injections. Conclusion Mepivacaine is an effective, safe and reliable anesthetic agent for dentistry and oral surgery.
Objective To determine the effects recombinant human growth hormone (GH) and hypocaloric nutrition on postoperative convalescence, we performed a placebo-controlled randomized double-blind trial in 18 patients after elective gastrectomy or colectomy. Methods The subjects received parenteral nutrition containing 20 calories/kg per day and 1 g protein/kg per day. Daily injections of drug or placebo were given during the first postoperative week. Result The nine control subjects lost 3.3 kg (5.9% of preoperative weight) and had a cumulative nitrogen loss of 32.6 ± 4.2 g nitrogen at eight days. The patients receiving GH lost significantly less weight (1.3 kg) and nitrogen loss was 7.3 ± 3.1 g at eight days (Plt;0.001). Kinetic studies demonstrated that anabolic effects of GH were associated with increased protein synthesis, and amino acid flus studies across the forearm revealed increased uptake of amino acid nitrogen in the GH-treated patients. Body composition analysis revealed that the patients receiving GH maintained their lean body mass despite the major surgical procedure. Conclusion We conclude that the postoperative catabolic response can be modified with GH and hypocaloric nutrition. The metabolic and physiologic effects should now be studied in a larger number of patients to determine if this approach can reduce morbidity, mortality, and length of hospital stay for surgical patients.
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 evaluate the efficacy and safety of Salviae miltiorrhizae Injection (include Danshen Injection and Fufang Danshen Injection) for chronic cor pulmonale. Design A systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Method Randomized trials comparing Salviae miltiorrhizae Injection plus routine treatment versus muting treatment alone were identified by electronic and manual searches. No blinding and language limitations were applied. The Jadad scale assessed the methodological quality of trials. Results Thirty randomized trials (n=2 161) were identified. The methodological quality of all trials included was low. The combined results (RR and 95%CI) of symptom scores was 1.20 (1.15 to 1.26). Because of the significant heterogeneity, many other markers of the blood rheology can not be combined. The reason for heterogeneity should include the differences among cases and studies. Because of lacking enough studies, the conclusions about mortality and oxidants/antioxidants markers were not b. Only a few studies had reported adverse events. Conclusions Based in the review, Salviae miltiorrhizae Injection may have positive effect on symptom scores in patients with chronic cor pulmonale. But for mortality, the markers of blood rheology and oxidants/antioxidants, there is no reliable conclusion. However, the evidence is not b due to the general low methodological quality, the variations among studies and experimental markers themselves, and lacking of more relevant and important markers. Further large trials are needed.
目的 为避免选择和发表偏倚,系统评价者应采用多种查询技术,并尽力获得未发表的研究.本文试图探讨,英特网检索对鉴定未发表和正在进行的临床试验是否有用.研究设计 利用七个Cochrane系统评价的查询策略回顾性地在英特网上检索未纳入的随机对照试验.方法 检索策略 以普通检索式"研究方法学 NEAR干预措施NERA 条件"、用AltaVista在英特网上搜索.测量指标包括搜索时间、英特网搜索已发表研究的回溯率、精确度(已发表和未发表的随机临床试验链接的网页比例)、英特网检索到的未纳入的未发表和正在进行的研究数.结果 用21小时查询了429个网页,找到14个链接到未发表的、正在进行的或最近完成的试验,至少有9个与4篇系统评价相关.英特网检索已发表研究文献的回溯率在0～43.6%,其链接已发表和未发表研究的精确度在0～20.2%.结论 未发表尤其是正在进行的试验的信息可在英特网上找到.潜在的问题是如何评价未经同行评审的电子出版物的质量.急需更强的搜索工具.建议用"Open Trial Initiative"定义英特网发表试验的语法,以加强试验登记的共同操作性.因此,专门的搜索引擎可找到更多有关正在进行和已完成的临床试验信息.