Objective To systematically evaluate the influence of PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) ultrasound guidance on success rates and incidences of complications of elbow catheterization. Methods The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2012), Library of JBI evidence-based nursing center, MEDLINE, EMbase, CBM, VIP, CNKI and WanFang Data were searched for relevant studies to influence on success rates of puncture and catheterization and complications from upper arm placement of PICC ultrasound guidance as well as conventional PICC placement from inception to March, 2012. The data were extracted according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria by two reviewers, the quality of included studies was also evaluated. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.1, or only descriptive analysis was conducted instead. Results Eleven randomized controlled trials, five clinical controlled trials and four cohort studies were included, involving 4 052 patients. The results of meta-analysis showed that, upper arm placement of PICC ultrasound guidance combined with modified Seldinger technique was associated with significantly higher one-time success rates of puncture and catheterization than conventional PICC placement below the elbow, with significant differences (OR=4.71, 95%CI 1.97 to 11.28, P=0.000 5; OR=8.63, 95%CI 1.92 to 38.82, P=0.005). Conventional elbow catheterization had a significantly higher incidence of phlebitis than catheterization on the elbow that under the guidance of PICC ultrasound and modified Seldinger technique (OR=0.13, 95%CI 0.08 to 0.21, Plt;0.000 01). Conclusion Elbow catheterization under the guidance of PICC ultrasound combined with modified Seldinger technique has an obvious advantage in improving the success rates of puncture and catheterization and reducing the incidence of complications, compared with conventional elbow catheterization.
Objective To analyze acupuncture resources in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR). Methods We identified acupuncture literature from CDSR (2008 year) electronically. W analyzed this literature by research time date, author, study contents, and conCochrane Library usions. Results We initially found 82 articles. Finally, we identified 67 systematic reviews. The number of acupuncture articles has increased all over the world with higher growth rate in China than overseas. The disease spectrum of acupuncture treatment increased widely, focusing on nervous system diseases and pain diseases. Eight articles (25.8%) definitely supported the efficacy of acupuncture. Twenty two articles (71%) considered the efficacy of acupuncture as uncertain owning to insufficient evidence. Just one article expressed that acupuncture treatment was ineffective according to current evidence.
Based on the conclusion of recent clinical research conducted by foreign countries, there is no statistical difference in outcomes between real and placebo acupuncture. This paper analyzes the weaknesses of methods currently being used by foreign countries to compare the effects of real and placebo acupuncture, striving for a new way to test for the placebo effect; a way that is more scientific, more suitable for the current conditions of China, while at the same time capable of being recognized internationally. This paper describes a new acupuncture placebo-controlled method. Under the condition of complete patient trust, we may ensure an ideal placebo effect to the greatest extent by minimizing the potential curative effects in the placebo group. From the actual clinical practice, by randomized controlled trial comparing acupuncture and medicine, using the concept as the double-dummy clinical trail, this paper explores the “double-dummy – non-specific sites – random sampling” method in the clinical setting as a way to form a new acupuncture clinical research model of comparison between acupuncture and medicine.
Objective To assess the quality reports on acupuncture in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. Methods MEDLINE, CBM, CMCC and CNKI from 1994 to 2006 were searched electronically. Handsearching was also done. The retrieved articles were assessed in terms of several factors, including the type of clinical research, methodology, diagnostic criteria, inclusion/exclusion criteria, effectiveness measurements, calculation of sample size, follow-up, etc. Results Among the 109 included articles, only 6 were true randomized controlled trials. There were 17 quasi-randomized controlled trials, 13 non-randomized concurrent controlled trials, 1 case-control study and 63 narrative studies. 29 of the reports clearly described the diagnostic criteria, 14 mentioned the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 79 reported the effectiveness measurements, none mentioned the calculation of sample size, 24 reported the follow-up outcomes, and only 1 mentioned adverse reactions. Conclusion More prospective, multicenter, large-scale, high-quality randomised trials are needed, and recommendations should also be made for future evaluations of methodological quality.
Six patients with moderate to advanced primary carcinoma of the liver were treated in this hospital with perfusion chemotherapy and embolization through the regional portal vein under the guidance of B-ultrasongraph rather than (with) operatie catheteization of the portal vein. The results show that all the tumor masses were reduced in size after the treatment (1.2-3.2cm, average value 1.9cm). It might be a new way for treating the primary carcinom of liver. The detailed procedure is descibed and the effects are also discussed in this article.
Objective To explore the role of renin-angiotensin system( RAS) in acute lung injury( ALI) /acute respiratory dysfunction syndrome( ARDS) by using amouse cecal ligation and puncture ( CLP)model.Methods The ALI/ARDS animal models were assessed bymeasuring blood gas, wet/dry lung weight ratio( W/D) , and lung tissue histology 18 hours after CLP operation. After the ALI/ARDS models was successfully established, immunohistochemistry, western blotting and radioimmunity were used to investigate the changes of several key enzymes of RAS, such as ACE, ACE2 and Ang Ⅱ. In addition, two groups of animals received a separate intraperitoneal injection of angiotensin-converting enzyme ( ACE) inhibitor captopril or recombinant mouse ACE2 ( rmACE2) after CLP, then the changes of RAS in ALI/ARDS modelswere observed. Results The extensive lung injuries can be observed in the lung tissues from CLP-treated animals 18 hours after operation. The CLP-induced ALI/ARDS led to an increase in the wet/dry weight ratio of the lung tissues, and a decrease in the PaO2 /FiO2 [ ( 194. 3 ±23. 9) mm Hg vs ( 346. 7 ±20. 5) mm Hg,P lt;0. 01] . Immunohistochemistry and western blotting tests of the lung tissues from CLP-treated animals showed a decrease in the ACE2 protein level. However, in both the CLP and sham mice there were no significant differences between the two groups. CLP markedly increased Ang Ⅱ level in lungs and plasma of mice, and RAS drugs significantly impacted the Ang Ⅱ levels of mice. Compared with the CLP group,captopril or rmACE2 led to a decrease of the Ang Ⅱ level in mice [ Lung: ( 1. 58 ±0. 16) fmol /mg,( 1. 65 ±0. 21) fmol /mg vs ( 2. 38 ±0. 41) fmol /mg; Plasma: ( 178. 04 ±17. 87) fmol /mL, ( 153. 74 ±10. 24) fmol /mL vs ( 213. 38 ± 25. 44) fmol /mL] . Conclusions RAS activation is one of the characteristics of CLP-induced ALI/ARDS in mice models. ACE and ACE2 in RAS have a different role in the regulation of AngⅡ synthesis, while ACE has a positive effect in generating AngⅡ, and ACE2 shows a negative effect.
Objective To study the application, safety and efficiency of tetracaine sprayed through thyrocricoid puncture before intubation in intensive care unit ( ICU) . Methods Forty-one patients ready to undergo intubation, admitted in ICU from November 2009 to February 2010, were recruited in the study. They were randomly divided into a tetracaine group and a control group. 2% tetracaine was sprayed through thyrocricoid puncture before intubation in the tetracaine group but not in the control group. The hemodynamic variables and SpO2 at baseline ( T0 ) , beginning of intubation ( T1 ) , 1 min after intubation ( T2 ) , and 5 min after intubation ( T3 ) were recorded. The dosage of propofol and vasoactive agents, the incidence of hypotension, the times of intubation, and complications were also recorded. Results The variance rate about heart rate ( HR) , mean arterial pressure ( MAP) and rate pressure production on time of T1 and T2 were significantly lower in the tetracaine group than those in the control group ( P lt; 0. 05) . There was no difference about the incidence of successful intubation and hypoxia ( P gt; 0. 05) . The dosage of propofol during induction and vasoactive agents after intubation in the tetracaine group were less than those in the control group ( P lt;0. 05) . The incidence of hypotension after intubation in the tetracaine group was 35% , which was lower than 61. 9% in the control group ( P lt;0. 05) . There was no any complications and adverse accidents in the tetracaine group. Conclusions It is safe and simple to spray tetracaine through thyrocricoid puncture before intubation in ICU, which can effectively stabilize the hemodynamics, and decrease the dosages of propofol and vasoactive agents.
Objective The rel iable animal model of intervertebral disc degeneration, can provide important experimental carrier to research pathogenesis and treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration. To establ ish three kinds of injury induced rabbit intervertebral disc degeneration models and to compare the characteristics among them by using biochemical and radiological methods. Methods Twenty-five healthy New Zealand white rabbits (weighing 2.0-2.5 kg) were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=5). The L3, 4, L4, 5 and L5, 6 discs in each rabbit were used for study. Groups A and B were forannulus puncture with an 18-gauge needle and a 22-gauge needle, respectively; group C was for nucleus aspiration; group D was for endplate injury and group E was used as a control. The lumbar spinal plain radiographs and magnetic resonance images (MRI) were evaluated, the raltive height of intervertebral disc was measured and the grades of disc degeneration were recorded 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 weeks after operation. The water and the sulfated-glycosaminoglycan (s-GAG) contents of the nucleus were measured after sacrifice (randomly choose one rabbit from each group at each time point). Results In groups A, B, C and D, the height of intervertebral space in plain radiograph gradually decreased after operation. The anterior bony excrescences of vertebral body and varying degrees of calcification of endplate were also observed. The signal intensity of disc in T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging decreased with time too. Compared with group E, the significant changes of height of intervertebral discs and grades of disc degeneration in MRI occurred at different time points within 4 weeks in groups A-D (P lt; 0.05). The significant change in groups C and D occured earl ier than in groups A and B. The water and s-GAG contents of discs decreased gradually in groups A-D after operation, while the significant change occurred at varying time points within 8 weeks compared with group E (P lt; 0.05). The apparent downward trend in groups C and D occured earl ier than in groups A and B. Conclusion All three methods are successful in inducing intervertebral disc degeneration. The degenerative process induced by endplate injury and nucleus aspiration is faster and more severe than that induced by annulus puncture.
Objective To summarize the recent minimally invasive approach for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR). Methods The recent l iterature at home and abroad concerning minimally invasive approach for CSR was reviewed and summarized. Results There were two techniques of minimally invasive approach for CSR at peresent: percutaneous puncture techniques and endoscopic techniques. The degenerate intervertebral disc was resected or nucleolysis by percutaneouspuncture technique if CSR was caused by mild or moderate intervertebral disc herniations. The cervical microendoscopicdiscectomy and foraminotomy was an effective minimally invasive approach which could provide a clear view. The endoscopy techniques were suitable to treat CSR caused by foraminal osteophytes, lateral disc herniations, local l igamentum flavum thickening and spondylotic foraminal stenosis. Conclusion The minimally invasive procedure has the advantages of simple handl ing, minimally invasive and low incidence of compl ications. But the scope of indications is relatively narrow at present.
Objective Polylactic acid (PLA) patch has proper steric configuration, sufficient mechanic strength, and flexibil ity, to investigate the blocking effect on the intra-discal inflammation after annulus puncture sticked by medical glue so as to seal the pinhole left after annulus puncture. Methods Twenty healthy New Zealand white rabbits (weighing 2.0-2.5 kg) were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=5): groups A, B, C, and D. In group A, the rabbits underwent exposure of intervertebral disc and transverse process at L2-7 as a control; in group B, the rabbits received annulus puncture at L2-7 with an 18-gauge needle; and in groups C and D, the pinholes were sealed respectively with a PLA patch sticked with medical gel and medical gel alone after annulus puncture at L2-7. General condition of rabbits was observed after operation. The intervertebral disc tissue was harvested 1 week after operation. The tissue structure was observed by HE and Masson staining. And the expressions of inflammatory factors l ike interleukin 1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOs) were detected with immunohistochemistry and ELISA. Results All the animals survived till the end of the experiment. In group A at 1 week, the nucleus pulposus tissue had normal structure. In group B at 1 week, leak of nucleus pulposus from the pinhole and sl ight adhesion to the adjacent tissue could be seen, and the nucleus pulposus tissue had significant degenerative change by histological observation. In groups C and D, clots of coagulated medical gel and extensive adhesion to the adjacent tissue could be seen; histological observation suggested that the nucleus pulposus tissue of group C had similar histology manifestation to that of group A; while group D had similar histology manifestation to group B with obviously-decreased cells and disorder of matrix. ELISA test showed remarkably elevated expression level of inflammatory factors including IL-1β, TNF-α, and iNOs in groups B and D when compared with groups A and C, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05), and similar expression level were observed in groups A and C, groups B and D (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion The PLA patch sticked with medical gel is effective in blocking the intra-discal inflammation 1 week after annulus puncture.