Comparative analysis of breast and lung cancer survival rates and clinical trial enrollments among rural and urban patients in Georgia

Objectives:Rural patients have poor cancer outcomes and clinical trial(CT)enrollment compared to urban patients due to attitudinal,awareness,and healthcare access differential.Knowledge of cancer survival disparities and CT enrollment is important for designing interventions and innovative approaches to address the stated barriers.The study explores the potential disparities in cancer survival rates and clinical trial enrollments in rural and urban breast and lung cancer patients.Our hypotheses are that for both cancer types,urban cancer patients will have longer 5-year survival rates and higher enrollment rates in clinical trials than those in rural counties.Methods:We compared breast and lung cancer patients’survival rates and enrollment ratios in clinical trials between rural(RUCC 4-9)and urban counties in Georgia at a Comprehensive Cancer Center(CCC).To assess these differences,we carried out a series of independent samples t-tests and Chi-Square tests.Results:The outcomes indicate comparable 5-year survival rates across rural and urban counties for breast and lung cancer patients,failing to substantiate our hypothesis.While clinical trial enrollment rates demonstrated a significant difference between breast and lung cancer patients at CCC,no significant variation was observed based on rural or urban classification.Conclusion:These findings underscore the need for further research into the representation of rural patients with diverse cancer types at CCC and other cancer centers.Further,the findings have considerable implications for the initiation of positive social change to improve CT participation and reduce cancer survival disparities.

Survival of Antiretroviral Therapy Patients at the Outpatient Treatment Centre of the Community University Hospital of Bangui from 2015 to 2020

Background: The advent of antiretroviral treatment has considerably increased the life expectancy of people living with HIV in recent years. The Central African Republic, despite challenges related to the socio-political context, is committed to achieving the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets and to the elimination of AIDS by 2030 advocated by the WHO. Objective: To analyze survival among HIV-positive adult patients on antiretroviral therapy from 2015 to 2020. Methods: This was a history-based cohort study of patients started on ART. The main variable was survival. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to describe the survival curve since inclusion in the cohort and a multivariate Cox model was used to investigate factors associated with mortality on ART. Results: A total of 145 naive patients started ART at the Outpatient Treatment Centre (OTC) in 2015. A female predominance was observed in our study with 78.08% of cases. The analysis of the patients’ fate at the time of point of treatment showed that 58.62% of them were still in active care and 13.10% died. The probability of survival at 5 years was 0.82 and mortality was significantly associated with very advanced disease (WHO stage IV) (p = 0.047) and anemia (p = 0.039). Conclusion: The majority of patients were still in care at the endpoint and mortality was significantly related to advanced disease and anemia. Early management of people living with HIV combined with better quality of care would improve their survival.

Long-term survival and prognostic implications of Chinese type 2 diabetic patients with coronary artery disease after coronary artery bypass grafting

This study was conducted to determine the sur-vival rates of type 2 diabetic patients after coro-nary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery, and the prognostic factors related to all-cause mor-tality during a 7-year follow-up. The medical re-cords of 816 type 2 diabetic patients who un-derwent primary, isolated CABG surgery during 1997-2003 were studied. The Kaplan-Meier me- thod and Cox regression were used to estimate survival and the independence of prognostic factors associated with all-cause mortality. One hundred and five out of 816 patients expired during the 7-year period. The overall survival rate was 83.5% (95%CI: 78.7-88.3%). Associated prog- nostic factors varied by gender. For males, but not for females, smoking (RR=3.44, 95%CI: 1.01- 11.70), myocardial infarction (RR=4.77, 95% CI: 1.23-18.86), respiratory failure (RR=4.21, 95% CI: 1.48-7.99), cardiogenic shock (RR=12.58, 95% CI: 3.25-20.77), and congestive heart failure (RR= 3.77, 95%CI: 1.10-13.45) were significantly related to all-cause mortality. Older age at sur-gery (RR= 1.15, 95%CI: 1.04-1.27), emergent op-eration (RR= 21.29, 95%CI: 10.03-39.43), pul-monary ede-ma (RR=7.72, 95%CI: 1.89-15.59), and days of ICU stay (RR=1.05, 95%CI: 1.02-1.09) were significant- ly related to all-cause mortality in females only. In conclusion, several gen-der-related differences were noted pertaining to all-cause mortality and its relationship to smok- ing, myocardial infarction, respiratory failure, cardiogenic shock, congestive heart failure, older age at surgery, emergent operation, pul-monary edema, and days of ICU stay.

Education of Hospitalized Diabetic Patients: Analysis of Training Needs among Nurses in a Lebanese Hospital - A Secondary Publication

The design of diabetes inpatient educational preparation should be based on the needs of the nurses involved in terms of skills in this area. The objective of this qualitative study is to identify the preparatory needs of nurses working in the medical and surgical units of a Lebanese hospital in terms of Survival Skills Education for Hospitalized Diabetic Patients (SSEHDP). Method: The focus group method is used for data collection using a semi-structured interview guide. The needs expressed by the thirty-two participating nurses were classified into categories of the competency framework for providing self-management education to diabetic patients proposed by the American Diabetes Association. Results: By focusing on the themes of an SSEHDP, a list of preparatory needs was drawn up. The needs identified and analyzed are then translated into general and specific learning objectives for educational preparation. Conclusion: The needs analysis is only the first step in a work that will ideally continue into the implementation and eventual evaluation of an educational program developed to help nurses acquire skills in the education of diabetic patients.

Seven-senescence-associated gene signature predicts overall survival for Asian patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND Cellular senescence is a recognized barrier for progression of chronic liver diseases to hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). The expression of a cluster of genes is altered in response to environmental factors during senescence. However, it is questionable whether these genes could serve as biomarkers for HCC patients.AIM To develop a signature of senescence-associated genes(SAGs) that predicts patients' overall survival(OS) to improve prognosis prediction of HCC.METHODS SAGs were identified using two senescent cell models. Univariate COX regression analysis was performed to screen the candidate genes significantly associated with OS of HCC in a discovery cohort(GSE14520) for the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator modelling. Prognostic value of this seven-gene signature was evaluated using two independent cohorts retrieved from the GEO(GSE14520) and the Cancer Genome Atlas datasets, respectively.Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve analysis was conducted to compare the predictive accuracy of the seven-SAG signature and serum α-fetoprotein(AFP).RESULTS A total of 42 SAGs were screened and seven of them, including KIF18 B, CEP55,CIT, MCM7, CDC45, EZH2, and MCM5, were used to construct a prognostic formula. All seven genes were significantly downregulated in senescent cells andupregulated in HCC tissues. Survival analysis indicated that our seven-SAG signature was strongly associated with OS, especially in Asian populations, both in discovery and validation cohorts. Moreover, time-dependent ROC curve analysis suggested the seven-gene signature had a better predictive accuracy than serum AFP in predicting HCC patients' 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS.CONCLUSION We developed a seven-SAG signature, which could predict OS of Asian HCC patients. This risk model provides new clinical evidence for the accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment of HCC.

Hepatocellular carcinoma in extremely elderly patients:An analysis of clinical characteristics,prognosis and patient survival

AIM： To identify the clinical and prognostic features of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） aged 80 years or more. METHODS： A total of 1310 patients with HCC were included in this study. Ninety-one patients aged 80 years or more at the time of diagnosis of HCC were defined as the extremely elderly group. Two hundred and thirty-four patients aged 〉/ 50 years but less than 60 years were regarded as the non-elderly group. RESULTS： The sex ratio （male to female） was significantly lower in the extremely elderly group （0.90：1） than in the non-elderly group （3.9：1, P〈 0.001）. The positive rate for HBsAg was significantly lower in the extremely elderly group and the proportion of patients negative for HBsAg and HCVAb obviously increased in the extremely elderly group （P〈 0.001）. There were no significant differences in the following parameters： diameter and number of tumors, Child-Pugh grading, tumor staging, presence of portal thrombosis or ascites, and positive rate for HCVAb. Extremely elderly patients did not often receive surgical treatment （P 〈 0.001） and they were more likely to receive conservative treatment （P〈 0.01）. There were no significant differences in survival curves based on the Kaplan-Meier methods in comparison with the overall patients between the two groups. However, the survival curves were significantly worse in the extremely elderly patients with stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ, stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ and Child-Pugh grade A cirrhosis in comparison with the non-elderly group. The causes of death did not differ among the patients, and most cases died of liverrelated diseases even in the extremely elderly patients. CONCLUSION： In the patients with good liver functions and good performance status, aggressive treatment for HCC might improve the survival rate, even in extremely elderly patients.

Long-term albumin infusion improves survival in patients with cirrhosis and ascites: An unblinded randomized trial

AIM： To investigate the effects of long-term albumin administration on survival, recurrence of ascites and onset of other complications. METHODS： One hundred consecutive patients admitted for first-onset ascites were randomized to receive diuretics plus human albumin 25 g/wk in the first year and 25 g every two wk thereafter （group 1） or diuretics alone （group 2）. The primary endpoint was survival without liver transplantation. Secondary endpoints were recurrence of ascites and occurrence of other complications. RESULTS： Median follow-up was 84 （2-120） mo. Albu- min-treated patients had significantly greater cumulative survival rate （Breslow test= 7.05, P= 0.0078） and lower probability of ascites recurrence （51% versus 94%, P〈0.0001）. Chronic albumin infusion resulted in a mean increase in survival of 16 mo. CONCLUSION： Long-term albumin administration after first-onset ascites significantly improves patients＇ survival and decreases the risk of ascites recurrence.

Can composite performance measures predict survival of patients with colorectal cancer?

AIM: To assess the relationship between long-term colorectal patient survival and methods of calculating composite performance scores.

The Impact of Delays during the Pandemic Months on Survival of Lung Cancer Patients in Canada in 2020

Background and Purpose: Most cancer deaths in the world are due to lung cancer and diagnosis and treatment delays sharply reduce survival in lung cancer patients. This study examined the impact of delays during the early months of the pandemic on the survival of newly identified lung cancer patients in Canada in 2020. Method: This was a secondary data analysis from published literature and openly available data sources. Cancer Statistics from existing literature were used as a proxy for the month-wise distribution of lung cancer cases in Canada. The incidence of lung cancer, using population statistics from Statistics Canada and incidence rates from the Canadian Cancer Statistics in 2020, was estimated. The population-based Excel model employed compounded cuts on the incidence to arrive at the outcomes. Plotdigitzer.com tool was used to digitize the survival versus time curves for each stage from secondary sources. Stage-wise incidences for each sex were calculated for each age group for each month of 2020. Using delay impact on each stage the final results were calculated. Results: A total of 5004 life years would have been lost due to 448 deaths in the long term (40 months) attributed to the delays caused during March, April, May and June in Canada. The estimated incidence for all stages of lung cancer for these months was 9801 although the observed incidence was expected to be 6571 due to reduced screenings. Hence, it was within the missing 3231 cases that delays would occur. Over the short term (10 months) there are expected to be 151 early deaths and 273 deaths in the intermediate-term (20 months). Conclusions: This study using a mathematical model showed that in 2020, the COVID epidemic resulted in higher mortality and fewer lung cancer diagnoses in Canada. As a result of the delays in assessment, screening, and treatment that accompanied the pandemic lockdowns, there has been a rise in total life years lost due to lung cancer, demonstrating the pandemic’s huge impact on lung cancer patients.

Reanalysis of Lymph node metastasis as predictor of the survival of patients with follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma: From SEER database 2004-2014

Background: Follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC) is the most common subset of papillary carcinoma. Lymph-node metastasis (LNM) is one of the main predictors of survival in PTC patients, but we found few data related to the correlation between LNM and FVPTC. We therefore aimed to elucidate the relationship between LNM and survival in patients with FVPTC. Methods: Logistic regression models were used to determine the factors associated with LNM. The Cox proportional-hazards model was applied to assess the association between LNM and disease-specific mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the log-rank test were used to estimate the disease-specific survival rates in patients with and without LNM. Results: In total, 1418 FVPTC patients were identified. The multivariate logistic regression model showed that age, female sex, being married, tumor size > 4cm and extrathyroidal extension and radiation were predictors of LNM. The multivariate Cox regression model showed that age, multifocality and radiation were risk factors of diseasespecific mortality. Especially, LNM (p=0.271) did not independently predict disease-specific mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the log-rank method also showed that LNM did not impact survival in FVPTC (p=0.235). Conclusion: Using data in the SEER database from 2004 to 2014, and after multivariate model correction, we found that age, multifocality and radiation were strongly related to disease-specific mortality. It is worth noting that LNM does not impact the survival of FVPTC patients.

Potential Value of Splenectomy for the Life Quality and Long-term Survival of Patients with Cirrhosis

Patients with cirrhosis will gradually develop portal hypertension(PHT)and esophagogastric varices,and subsequently the more severe and often lethal complications such as bleeding esophageal varices,ascites,spontaneous bacterial peritonitis,renal dysfunction and hepatic encephalopathy.To date,there is still not any effective therapy for the prevention of the development these serious complications.The initial factor leading to PHT is an increase in hepatic resistance.Then,the increase in portal blood flow contributes to the maintenance and exacerbation of PHT,as well as the formation of esophagogastric varices and lethal complications.Increasing evidence shows that,enlarged spleen not only contributes to the increase in portal venous inflow,but also plays a contributory role in promoting almost all lethal complications of cirrhosis through its resulted hypersplenism together with other mechanisms.So,we hypothesize that prophylactic splenectomy may efficiently delay the progression of cirrhosis and improve life quality and long-term survival of patients with cirrhosis.

A comparative study of pancreatic endocrine function and related metabolism after long-term survival between the patients with combined kidneypancreas transplantation vs those with combined en bloc ' liver-pancreas transplantation

Objective To compare the effects of combined en bloc liver - pancreas transplantation ( LPT) with portal vein drainage and simultaneous combined kidney - pancreas transplantation ( KPT) with systemic venous drainage on the pancreatic endocrine function and related me-

Risk factors, surgical complications and graft survival in liver transplant recipients with early allograft dysfunction

Background: Early allograft dysfunction (EAD) is a severe complication after liver transplantation. The associated risk factors and complications have re-gained recent interest. This study investigated risk factors, survival and complications associated with EAD in a large liver transplant center in Latin America. Methods: Retrospective, unicenter, cohort, based on data from adult patients undergoing first deceaseddonor liver transplant from January 2009 to December 2013. EAD was defined by one or more of the following:(i) bilirubin ≥10 mg/dL on postoperative day 7;(ii) international normalized ratio ≥1.6 on postoperative day 7, and (iii) alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase > 2000 IU/L within the first seven days after transplant. Results: A total of 602 patients were included;of these 34.2% developed EAD. Donor risk factors were male ( P = 0.007), age between 50 and 59 years ( P = 0.034), overweight ( P = 0.028) or grade I obesity ( P = 0.012), sodium > 157 mmol/L ( P = 0.002) and grade IV ischemia/reperfusion injury ( P = 0.002). Cold ischemia time ≥10 h ( P = 0.008) and warm ischemia time ≥40 min ( P = 0.013) were the surgical factors. Male ( P < 0.001) was the only recipient protective factor. Compared with the non-EAD group, patients with EAD were submitted to more reoperations (24.3% vs. 13.4%, P = 0.001) and had higher graft loss rates (37.9% vs. 21.2%, P < 0.001), with similar patient survival rates ( P = 0.238). Conclusions: EAD risk factors are related to donor, surgical procedure and recipient. Donor risk factors for EAD were male, age between 50 and 59 years, donor overweight or grade Ⅰ obesity, sodium > 157 mmol/L and grade Ⅳ ischemia/reperfusion injury. Cold ischemia time ≥10 h and warm ischemia time ≥40 min were the surgical risk factors. Male was the only recipient protective factor. Patients with EAD had higher reoperations and graft loss rates.

Impact of small-for-size liver grafts on medium-term and long-term graft survival in living donor liver transplantation: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Small-for-size grafts (SFSGs) in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) could optimize donor postoperative outcomes and also expand the potential donor pool. Evidence on whether SFSGs would affect medium-term and long-term recipient graft survival is lacking. AIM To evaluate the impact of small-for-size liver grafts on medium-term and longterm graft survival in adult to adult LDLT. METHODS A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed by searching eligible studies published before January 24, 2019 on PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases. The primary outcomes were 3-year and 5-year graft survival. Incidence of small-for-size syndrome and short term mortality were also extracted. RESULTS This meta-analysis is reported according to the guidelines of the PRISMA 2009 Statement. Seven retrospective observational studies with a total of 1821 LDLT recipients were included in the meta-analysis. SFSG is associated with significantly poorer medium-term graft survival. The pooled odds ratio for 3-year graft survival was 1.58 [95% confidence interval 1.10-2.29, P = 0.014]. On the other hand, pooled results of the studies showed that SFSG had no significant discriminatory effect on 5-year graft survival with an odds ratio of 1.31 (95% confidence interval 0.87-1.97, P = 0.199). Furthermore, incidence of small-for-size syndrome detected in recipients of SFSG ranged from 0-11.4% in the included studies. CONCLUSION SFSG is associated with inferior medium-term but not long-term graft survival. Comparable long-term graft survival based on liver graft size shows that smaller grafts could be accepted for LDLT with appropriate flow modulatory measures. Close follow-up for graft function is warranted within 3 years after liver transplantation.

Effect of donor age on graft function and longterm survival of recipients undergoing living donor liver transplantation

BACKGROUND： Donor shortage is the biggest obstacle in organ transplantation. Living donor liver transplantation（LDLT） has been considered as a valuable approach to shortening waiting time. The objectives of this study were to investigate the feasibility of utilizing donors older than 50 years in LDLT and to evaluate the graft function and recipient survival.METHODS： All LDLT cases（n=159） were divided into the older（donor age ≥50 years, n=10） and younger（donor age 〈50 years,n=149） donor groups. Donor graft and recipient condition pre-,intra- and post-operation were compared between the two groups.In particular, graft functions and recipient survivals were analyzed.RESULTS： The median donor age was 58.5（52.5-60.0） years in the older donor group and 25.0（23.0-32.0） in the younger donor group. There was no significant difference in cold ischemic time, anhepatic phase and operation time between the older and younger donor groups（P〉0.05）. However, the volume of red blood cell transfused in operation was greater in the older donor group than in the younger donor group（1900 vs 1200 m L, P=0.023）. The 1-, 3- and 5-year graft survival rates were 90%, 80% and 80% for the older donor group, and 92%, 87% and 87% for the younger donor group, respectively（P=0.459）.The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 100%, 90% and 90% for recipients with older grafts, and 93%, 87% and 87% for those with younger grafts, respectively（P=0.811）.CONCLUSION： It is safe for a LDLT recipient to receive liver from donors older than 50 years, and there is no significant adverse effect on graft function and long-term patients’ survival.

Role of the postoperative cholesterol in early allograft dysfunction and survival after living donor liver transplantation

BACKGROUND:Many studies have confirmed that serum total cholesterol(sTC) concentrations were associated with underlying liver damage and the synthesis capacity of liver.However, the role of postoperative sTC level on evaluating graft function and predicting survival of recipients who underwent liver transplantation has not been discussed.METHODS:Clinical data of 231 living donor liver transplantation recipients from May 2003 to January 2015 were retrospectively collected. Patients were stratified into the low sTC group(sTC <1.42 mmol/L, 57 recipients) and high sTC group(sTC ≥1.42 mmol/L, 174 recipients) according the sTC level on postoperative day 3 based on receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. The clinical characteristics and postoperative short-and long-term outcomes were compared between the two groups.RESULTS:Recipients with sTC <1.42 mmol/L experienced more severe preoperative disease conditions, a higher incidence of postoperative early allograft dysfunction(38.6% vs 10.3%, P<0.001), 90-day mortality(28.1% vs 10.9%, P=0.002)and severe complications(29.8% vs 17.2%, P=0.041) compared to recipients with sTC ≥1.42 mmol/L. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that sT C <1.42 mmol/L had a 4.08-fold(95% CI:1.83-9.11, P=0.001) and 2.72-fold(95% CI:1.23-6.00,P=0.013) greater risk of developing allograft dysfunction and 90-day mortality, and patients with sTC <1.42 mmol/L had poorer overall recipient and graft survival rates at 1-, 3-, and 5-year than those with sTC ≥1.42 mmol/L(67%, 61% and 61% vs 83%, 71% and 69%, P=0.025; 65%, 59% and 59% vs 81%,68% and 66%, P=0.026, respectively). Cox multivariate anal-ysis showed that sTC <1.42 mmol/L was an independent predicting factor for total recipient survival(HR=2.043; 95% CI:1.173-3.560; P=0.012) and graft survival(HR=1.905; 95% CI:1.115-3.255; P=0.018).CONCLUSIONS:sTC <1.42 mmol/L on postoperative day 3 was an independent risk factor of postoperative early allograft dysfunction, 90-day mortality, recipient and graft survival, which can be used as a marker for predicting postoperative short-and long-term outcomes.

Diabetes mellitus is not associated with worse short term outcome in patients older than 65 years old post-liver transplantation

BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a global health care challenge and a leading indication of liver transplantation(LT).Hence,more patients with diabetes mellitus(DM)are undergoing LT,especially,above the age of 65.AIM To evaluate the impact of DM on short-term outcomes post-LT in patients over the age of 65.METHODS We collected data of patients who underwent LT from January 2001 until December 2019 using our electronic medical record.We assessed the impact of DM on short-term outcomes,one-year,post-LT based on the following variables:Survival at one year;acute cellular rejection(ACR)rates;intensive care unit(ICU)and hospital length of stay;and readmissions.RESULTS Total of 148 patients who are 65 year or older underwent LT during the study period.The mean age is 68.5±3.3 years and 67.6%were male.The median Model for End-stage Liver Disease score at time of transplantation was 22(6-39),39%of patients had hepatocellular carcinoma and 77.7%underwent living donor LT.The one-year survival was similar between DM patients and others,91%.ACR occurred in 13.5%of patients(P=0.902).The median ICU stay is 4.5-day P=0.023.The rates of ICU and 90-d readmission were similar(P=0.821)and(P=0.194),respectively.CONCLUSION The short-term outcome of elderly diabetic patients undergoing LT is similar to others.The presence of DM in elderly LT candidates should not discourage physicians from transplant consideration in this cohort of patients.

Fortuitous benefits of activity-based rehabilitation in stem cell-based therapy for spinal cord repair: enhancing graft survival

Traumatic injuries to spinal cord elicit diverse signaling pathways leading to unselective and complex pathological outcomes：death of multiple classes of neural cells,formation of cystic cavities and glial scars,disruption of axonal connections,and demyelination of spared axons,all of which can contribute more or less to debilitating functional impairments found in patients with spinal cord injury.

Ocular manifestations and quality of life in patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

AIM:To explore the relationship between ocular and systemic conditions and the impact of ocular complications on the quality of life(QOL)in patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(ALLO-HSCT).METHODS:Forty-four patients with severe hematopoietic disease were enrolled after ALLO-HSCT at our center from July 2018 to October 2020.They completed two questionnaires:the Ocular Surface Disease Index(OSDI)and the quality-of-life scale for Chinese patients with visual impairment(SQOL-DV1).Ocular conditions and systemic conditions were also assessed.RESULTS:Eye damage was correlated with total bilirubin(P=0.005),and gamma-glutamyl transferase(GGT)(P=0.021).There was no significant correlation between the overall QOL score and OSDI(P=0.8226)or SQOLDV1(P=0.9526)scores.The OSDI and the overall QOL score were not correlated with ocular conditions,including best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA),intraocular pressure,Schirmer tear test II,sodium fluorescein staining,tear film breakup time,and tear meniscus height.SQOLDV1 was correlated with BCVA(P=0.0007),sodium fluorescein staining(P=0.007),and tear film breakup time(P=0.0146).CONCLUSION:In some patients,early ocular symptoms are not evident after ALLO-HSCT,while ocular surface complications can be observed after a comprehensive ophthalmological examination.Especially for those with elevated total bilirubin or GGT,regular ophthalmic follow-up visits are essential to diagnose and treat ocular graft versus host disease(o GVHD),especially for patients with elevated total bilirubin or GGT.

Clinical Observation on Quality of Life in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Patients Treated According to Syndrome Differentiation of TCM

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effect and quality of life (QOL) in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients treated according to syndrome differentiation of TCM. Methods: Eighty-two CABG patients were allocated in the control group (n = 39) treated with conventional method of western medicine, and the TCM-treated group (n