Background: Although a number of studies have reported that the hot and humid compress from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is effective in treating lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with qi stagnation and blood stasis,...Background: Although a number of studies have reported that the hot and humid compress from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is effective in treating lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with qi stagnation and blood stasis, clinical evidence is limited. Objective: The purpose of this study is to provide high-quality evidence to support the effectiveness of the traditional Chinese hot and humid compress in the treatment of LDH with qi stagnation and blood stasis. Methods: From October 2021 to November 2023, 86 patients with LDH of qi stagnation and blood stasis type were recruited in our hospital and divided into a control (n = 43) and an observation group (n = 43) according to the random number table method. The control group was given routine clinical treatment, and the observation group was treated with the hot and humid compress therapy for two weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, TCM syndrome score, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were observed and compared between the two groups before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated. Results: After treatment, the VAS score, TCM symptom score, and serum IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels decreased in both groups (P P P P P Conclusions: The hot and humid compress of traditional Chinese medicine can effectively relieve pain, restore lumbar function, improve TCM syndromes, reduce the level of inflammatory factors, and have a curative effect in treating LDH.展开更多
Background: As a common and high incidence of disease, the minor ischemic stroke (MIS) has become an important public health problem. The aim of this study was to address whether patients with MIS have different types...Background: As a common and high incidence of disease, the minor ischemic stroke (MIS) has become an important public health problem. The aim of this study was to address whether patients with MIS have different types and outcome in the elderly in northern China. Methods: A retrospective cohort of consecutive patients was selected for study;all registered neurologic outpatients of the tertiary teaching hospital in northern Jiangsu, China between February, 2011 and February, 2012. A total of 433 outpatients, clinically only having had an initial visit and a MRI study of the brain, were enrolled. Results: Of 433 outpatients, 247 (57.0%) patients with MIS were diagnosed. The clinical types of MIS included stable MIS in 58.3%, acute progressive MIS in 5.3%, and chronic progressive MIS in 36.4% of patients. After adjusted Odd ratio (OR), only aged (OR, 1.0;95% confidence interval [CI], 1.007 - 1.087, p = 0.021), episode duration (OR, 1.8;95% CI, 1.011 - 1.024, p = 0.001), initial number of MIS (OR, 1.1;95% CI, 1.047 - 1.207, p = 0.001), and infarcts volume (OR, 1.8;95% CI, 1.253 - 2.681, p = 0.002) were independently associated with stable MIS and progressive MIS. Total survival was favorable among groups (p = 0.094), but the followed mRS score was significantly higher among those progressive MIS than those stable MIS (2.3 ± 1.0 vs 0.1 ± 0.3, p Conclusion: MIS had a very high prevalence and different clinical types. Stable MIS is a benign stroke, whereas those progressive MIS may have long-term instability or acute and chronic progressive trend. This information is important in prospectively determining outcome of MIS and in patient treatment.展开更多
<strong>Background:</strong> Although the frequencies of getting drug naive type 2 diabetes patients among all the diabetic patients are very low, nowadays it claims more attention in the treatment procedu...<strong>Background:</strong> Although the frequencies of getting drug naive type 2 diabetes patients among all the diabetic patients are very low, nowadays it claims more attention in the treatment procedures of drug naive diabetic patients. But in Bangladesh, we have very few research-oriented data regarding the demographic, clinical and biochemical characteristics of drug naive type 2 diabetes patients. The aim of this study was to determine the demographic clinical and biochemical characteristics of drug naive type 2 diabetes patients of Bangladesh. <strong>Methods: </strong>This was an open label observational real-life study which was conducted in the chambers of the investigators in several places of Bangladesh as outdoor setting during the period from August 2020 to December 2020. In total, 250 patients with drug naive type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled as the study population. Proper written consents were taken from all the participants before starting data collection. A pre-designed questionnaire was used in patient data collection. All data were processed, analyzed and disseminated by MS Office and SPSS version as per need. <strong>Result:</strong> Two hundred and fifty (250) participants were selected as study population. The male-female ratio of the participants was 1.4:1. The highest number of participants was from 51 - 60 years’ age group (31.20%). The highest number of participants (41%) was with overweight (BMI: 25 - 30 kg/m<sup>2</sup>). Majority (65%) of the patients of this study suffered from diabetes for ≤5 years. The mean (±SD) SBP of the participants was 137.25 ± 17.50 mmHg and the mean (±SD) DBP of the participants was 85.16 ± 13.39 mmHg. We found the mean (±SD) fasting blood sugar (mg/dl), post prandial blood sugar (mg/dl), total cholesterol (mg/dl), triglycerides (mg/dl), HDL-Cholesterol (mg/dl), LDL-cholesterol (mg/dl), VLDL-cholesterol (mg/dl), uric acid (mg/dl), creatinine (mg/dl), urea (mg/dl), total bilirubin (mg/dl), direct bilirubin (mg/dl), SGOT (IU/L) and SGPT (IU/L) were 251.51 ± 112.08, 349.72 ± 128.68, 219.59 ± 68.25, 196.44 ± 94.34, 35.14 ± 11.85, 145.72 ± 64.33, 40.88 ± 18.12, 3.45 ± 1.51, 0.86 ± 0.37, 29.16 ± 9.81, 0.87 ± 0.4, 0.48 ± 0.4, 37.15 ± 10.9 and 35.83 ± 23.04 respectively. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Obesity and hypertension demand more attention of diabetologists in diagnosis and treatment of patients or suspected patients of diabetes. Patients aged ≥ 50 years are most vulnerable and suspicious for diabetes. Besides age consequence habits of tobacco smoking, family history, smoking and HTN, alcohol intake and presence of nitrites in the urine may be considered as the most potential comorbidities for diabetic patients. Diagnosis of demographic, clinical and biochemical characteristics of drug naive type 2 diabetes patients may play a vital role in proper treatment.展开更多
A growing number of children and adolescents are being diagnosed as Chiari malformation type I (CM- I ) for behavioral disorders, developmental delay, seizures, or abnormal orpharyngeal function. The aim of this stu...A growing number of children and adolescents are being diagnosed as Chiari malformation type I (CM- I ) for behavioral disorders, developmental delay, seizures, or abnormal orpharyngeal function. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics, imaging findings and surgical outcomes of CM- I in pediatric and adult patients. Between January 2014 and June 2017, 84 patients with CM- I underwent surgical treatment in our department. We divided the patients into two groups: pediatric group (n=l 1, age 〈18 years) and adult group (n=73, age 〉18 years). Data on clinical characteristics, imaging findings, surgical outcomes, and prognosis were retrospectively reviewed and compared between these two groups. For clinical presentation, scoliosis (36.4%) and developmental delay (36.4%) were more common in pediatric patients, whereas, sensory disturbance (58.9%) and motor weakness (41. 1%) were more common in adult patients. Imaging findings showed that the incidence of hydrocephalus and craniovertebral junctional abnormalities was significantly higher in pediatric group than in adult group (P〈0.05). Compared to adult group, pediatric group showed a better improvement or resolution of syrinx and tonsillar herniation after surgical treatments (P〈0.05). The total Chicago Chiari Outcome Scale (CCOS) score in pediatric patients at the last follow- up was significantly higher than that in adult patients (P=0.002). In conclusion, the clinical characteristics and imaging findings appeared to be different in pediatric and adult patients with CM- I. The surgical outcomes of pediatric patients were shown to be significantly better than those of adult patients.展开更多
[Objectives] To explore the clinical efficacy of graphene waist protector on dysmenorrhea of cold-damp stagnation type.[Methods]150 patients with cold-damp stagnation type were randomly divided into 3 groups: 50 cases...[Objectives] To explore the clinical efficacy of graphene waist protector on dysmenorrhea of cold-damp stagnation type.[Methods]150 patients with cold-damp stagnation type were randomly divided into 3 groups: 50 cases in the experimental group( using graphene waist protector),49 cases in the blank group( using the waist protector for removing the heating plate) and 51 cases in the control group( taking the Tongjingbao granules). After intervening for 3 menstrual cycles,visual analogue scale and the COX menstrual symptom scale were used to evaluate the clinical efficacy of graphene waist protector. [Results] The clinical effective rate of dysmenorrhea in experimental group was 64. 00%,while that of control group was 72. 54%. With the effective rate of symptoms,the test group was 56. 00% and the control group was 64. 70%; VAS dysmenorrhea visual score,duration of dysmenorrhea,severity of COX dysmenorrhea and duration of symptoms after intervention were significantly decreased in both experimental group and control group,the differences were statistically significant( P < 0. 05); for the differences of the scores before and after the intervention: the differences of the experimental group and the control group were statistically significant( P < 0. 05) compared with those of the blank group. There was no significant difference between experimental group and control group( P > 0. 05). [Conclusions] Graphene belt of experimental group and Tongjingbao granules of control group both have therapeutic effects on dysmenorrhea of cold-damp stagnation type. Graphene waist protector can relieve the pain and its accompanying symptoms in patients with primary dysmenorrhea of cold-damp stagnation type.展开更多
Pediatric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL)is a highly aggressive disease with unique clinical characteristics.This study analyzed the germinal-center type B-cell(GCB)classification and clinical characteristics of ...Pediatric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL)is a highly aggressive disease with unique clinical characteristics.This study analyzed the germinal-center type B-cell(GCB)classification and clinical characteristics of Chinese pediatric DLBCL.A total of 76 patients with DLBCL newly diagnosed in Sun Yatsen University Cancer Center between February 2000 and May 2011,with an age younger than 18 years,were included in the analysis.The male/female ratio was 3.47:1.The median age was 12 years(range,2 to 18 years),and 47(61.8%)patients were at least 10 years old.Of the 76 patients,48(63.2%)had stage III/IV disease,9(11.8%)had bone marrow involvement,1(1.3%)had central nervous system(CNS)involvement,and 5(6.6%)had bone involvement.The GCB classification was assessed in 45 patients:26(57.8%)were classified as GCB subtype,and 19(42.2%)were classified as non-GCB subtype.The modified B-NHL-BFM-90/95 regimen was administered to 50 patients,and the 4-year event-free survival(EFS)rate was 85.8%.Among these 50 patients,31 were assessed for the GCB classification:17(54.8%)were classified as GCB subtype,with a 4-year EFS rate of 88.2%;14(45.2%)were classified as non-GCB subtype,with a 4-year EFS rate of 92.9%.Our data indicate that bone marrow involvement and stage III/IV disease are common in Chinese pediatric DLBCL patients,whereas the percentage of patients with the GCB subtype is similar to that of patients with the non-GCB subtype.The modified B-NHL-BFM-90/95protocol is an active and effective treatment protocol for Chinese pediatric patients with DLBCL.展开更多
Aims/Introduction: Effectiveness of Diamel? on the biochemical variables: fasting blood glucose, postprandial glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and glycosylated haemoglobin [HbA1c] in type-2 diabetic patients recei...Aims/Introduction: Effectiveness of Diamel? on the biochemical variables: fasting blood glucose, postprandial glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and glycosylated haemoglobin [HbA1c] in type-2 diabetic patients receiving insulin terapy. Diamel is a natural product composed of trace elements: amino acids, vitamins, cranberry extract, and lettuce extract that have been activated by means of a magnetization process. Materials and methods: Randomized, doubleblind, comparator-controlled clinical trial. A central randomization centre used computer generated tables to allocate treatments. 116 patients suffering from type-2 diabetes mellitus treated with insulin at the Diabetes Care Centre in Pinar del Rio (Cuba), were recruited and randomly. The subjects were separated into two groups: Group A (n = 59), who were administered Diamel and Group B (n = 57) using placebo. The clinical and biochemical variables were assessed for 24 weeks. Results: Two subjects were excluded from the Diamel treatment group during the clinical trial. From the statistical point of view, a significant drop in the levels of the baseline glucose, postprandial glucose, glycated haemoglobin, and triglycerides was observed in the group taking Diamel (Group A). There was observed an increase in insulin requirements and in waist circumference in the subjects of Group B There was not reported any severe or serious adverse reactions during this clinical trial. Conclusion: Diamel (nutritional supplement) together with the administration of insulin in type-2 diabetic patients is useful to optimize the biochemical variables (baseline and postprandial glucose, Hb A1C, plus triglycerides), as well as to prevent the increase of insulin requirements at medium-term.展开更多
<strong>Background:</strong> To make outpatient visits for adolescents with diabetes successful, it is important for health care professionals to meet the adolescents’ needs and wishes. <strong>Aims...<strong>Background:</strong> To make outpatient visits for adolescents with diabetes successful, it is important for health care professionals to meet the adolescents’ needs and wishes. <strong>Aims:</strong> The aim is to investigate adolescents’ expectations of an outpatient diabetes clinic visit in comparison to what was deemed to be delivered and contrast this outcome in adolescents with self-reported high- and low-diabetes distress respectively. <strong>Methods:</strong> All adolescents in Sweden with type 1 diabetes, aged 15 to 18 years, were identified via The National Pediatric Diabetes Registry (SWEDIABKIDS) and asked to complete an online questionnaire regarding their expectations and the support received during the outpatient diabetes clinic visit. <strong>Results:</strong> 453 adolescents completed the survey. Boys’ expectations of discussion topics were mainly met while girls, especially those with diabetes distress, felt their discussion needs were not met regarding quality-of-life aspects. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> Although adolescents’ expectations are in general met during the diabetes outpatient clinic visit, aspects related to living with diabetes are not being met especially among female adolescents who reported diabetes distress. This study shows a gender difference both regarding expected discussion topics and what was deemed covered. <strong>Practice Implications:</strong> A multi-professional, individual person-centred care approach is needed at the diabetes outpatient clinic. This paper proposes that agenda setting performed by the adolescent, and agreed by the physician, prior to the outpatient clinic visit could facilitate individualized care and better meet the adolescents’ needs in a shared decision-making process.展开更多
The Erectile Dysfunction Observational Study (EDOS) is a 6-months observational prospective multicentric study enrolling men with erectile dysfunction (ED) who asked, to be started on a treatment or to change a pr...The Erectile Dysfunction Observational Study (EDOS) is a 6-months observational prospective multicentric study enrolling men with erectile dysfunction (ED) who asked, to be started on a treatment or to change a previous treatment. Aims of the study were to analyse the pattern of treatment and compare the efficacy of treatments used. Patients were enrolled during a normal hospital visit and were prescribed a treatment for ED. They were asked at baseline and after 3 and 6 months, to answer a set of questions from the International Index of Erectile Function, Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) and Short Form of the Psychological and Interpersonal Relationships Scale questionnaires (SF-PAIRS). Clinicians were free to prescribe any therapy for ED available in the market, and to change therapy at any time during the study. Out of 1 338 patients, available for analysis at 6 months, 624 (47%) changed their treatment during the study and 714 (53%) continued with the drug prescribed at baseline. Patients assuming tadalafil had a significantly higher probability of maintaining the same treatment compared to sildenafil or vardenafil. There was no clinically significant difference in terms of efficacy, patient satisfaction, self-confidence and spontaneity between the different inhibitors of PDE5. The ‘time concerns' domain score of SF-PAIRS, was statistically better in patients assuming tadalafil. In conclusion sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil show similar efficacy in the clinical practice. However, patients receiving tadalafil display a lower risk to discontinue or change the treatment.展开更多
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is emerging as a new clinical problem within pediatric practice.Recent reports indicate an increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents around the world in all...Type 2 diabetes mellitus is emerging as a new clinical problem within pediatric practice.Recent reports indicate an increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents around the world in all ethnicities,even if the prevalence of obesity is not increasing any more.The majority of young people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus was found in specific ethnic subgroups such as African-American,Hispanic,Asian/Pacific Islanders and American Indians.Clinicians should be aware of the frequent mild or asymptomatic manifestation of type 2 diabetes mellitus in childhood.Therefore,a screening seems meaningful especially in high risk groups such as children and adolescents with obesity,relatives with type 2 diabetes mellitus,and clinical features of insulin resistance(hypertension,dyslipidemia,polycystic ovarian syndrome,or acanthosis nigricans).Treatment of choice is lifestyle intervention followed by pharmacological treatment(e.g.,metformin).New drugs such as dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitors or glucagon like peptide 1 mimetics are in the pipeline for treatment of youth with type2 diabetes mellitus.However,recent reports indicate a high dropout of the medical care system of adolescents with type 2 diabetes mellitus suggesting that management of children and adolescents with type2 diabetes mellitus requires some remodeling of current healthcare practices.展开更多
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1(MEN1) is an autosomal dominant inherited tumour syndrome expressing various endocrine and non-endocrine lesions and tumours. Since the identification of the causative gene, the onco...Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1(MEN1) is an autosomal dominant inherited tumour syndrome expressing various endocrine and non-endocrine lesions and tumours. Since the identification of the causative gene, the oncosuppressor gene MEN1, in 1997, genetic testing has revealed an important approach for the early and differential diagnosis of the disease. The finding of a MEN1 mutation in a patient has important clinical implications for relatives since it allows very early disease diagnosis and identification of carriers, even before biochemical and/or clinical manifestation, permitting their inclusion in a specific program of surveillance and subsequent praecox therapy. Currently, genetic testing for MEN1 consists principally of the sequencing of coding regions and intron-exon junctions of the MEN1 gene. However, the recent acquisition of novel high throughput technologies will allow the design of innovative, accurate, complete and rapid genetic diagnosis. These new tools are able to increase the strength of the analysis and almost completely eliminate the possibility of false negative results. This review aims to give an overview on genetic testing of MEN1 syndrome, reporting the positive aspects of performing the analysis and the future perspectives for improving the performance of the test, as well as its application in clinical practice.展开更多
In this study, we investigated whether a single nucleotide polymorphism (rs42524 G 〉 C) in the type I alpha 2 collagen gene was associated with sporadic ruptured intracranial aneurysm or its clinical characteristic...In this study, we investigated whether a single nucleotide polymorphism (rs42524 G 〉 C) in the type I alpha 2 collagen gene was associated with sporadic ruptured intracranial aneurysm or its clinical characteristics in patients from Northeast China. Genotyping of the rs42524 G 〉 C polymorphism was carried out using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. The data showed that the frequency of the rs42524 GC + CC genotype was significantly higher than the GG genotype among intracranial aneurysm patients whose Hunt and Hess grading scale was 〉 3. In addition, the rs42524 G 〉 C genotype was found to have a statistically significant association with intracranial aneurysm risk. These findings indicate that the type I alpha 2 collagen gene gene may be involved in a predisposition to intracranial aneurysm in the Northeast Chinese population. Crucially, the rs42524 C allele may be an important risk factor for increased severity of the condition in patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms.展开更多
Aim: Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a severe cardiovascular disorder seen in the Emergency Department (ED). B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) is usually ordered to evaluate the CHF severity. However, it is difficult...Aim: Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a severe cardiovascular disorder seen in the Emergency Department (ED). B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) is usually ordered to evaluate the CHF severity. However, it is difficult to interpret serum BNP level when different clinical entities existed. The aim of this study is to illustrate the correlation between serum BNP level and relevant clinical variables and further determine the role of serum BNP in different CHF patients. Methods: Univariate comparisons between 26 clinical variables and serum BNP level were analyzed. In order to avoid confounding factors, potential independent clinical variables were analyzed together using multivariate regression. Results: 529 CHF patients were reviewed and divided into different groups by 26 clinical variables. Serum BNP levels were found statistically significant different by univariate compareson between groups divided by 8 clinical variables that included obesity, diastolic/systolic heart failure (HF), serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level, serum creatinine (Cr) level, serum sodium (Na) level, patients taking loop diuretics, history of cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and history of dementia. Among all 8 clinical variables, obesity, serum BUN, Cr level, and diastolic/systolic HF had weak-to-moderate correlation effects with serum BNP level by correlation coefficient analysis. However, only obesity and dia- stolic/systolic HF were two moderately stronger clini- cal variables that can affect the serum BNP levels by multivariate regression. Analyzing CHF patients separately by obesity and diastolic/systolic HF subsets showed longer hospitalization in diastolic HF patients with relatively higher serum Cr level. In addition, poor correlation was found between serum BNP level and length of hospitalization (LOH) as well. Conclusion: High variability of serum BNP levels exists in CHF patients with weak-to-moderate correlation effects particularly on obesity and diastolic/systolic HF.It is recommended that physicians should be cautious on interpreting BNP in different CHF populations.展开更多
Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast causing mainly opportunistic infections. DNA molecular typing techniques divided C. neoformans into four major molecular types (AFLP1/VNI, AFLP1A/VNB/VNII, AFLP1B/ VNII...Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast causing mainly opportunistic infections. DNA molecular typing techniques divided C. neoformans into four major molecular types (AFLP1/VNI, AFLP1A/VNB/VNII, AFLP1B/ VNII, AFLP3/VNIII, AFLP2/VNIV) characterized by different pathogenicity, geographical distribution and susceptibility to antifungal treatments. In this study 170 Italian C. neoformans clinical isolates (CI) and 32 environmental isolates (EI), collected and serotyped during a ten-year period (1985 to 1995), were genotyped using [GACA]4 microsatellite PCR fingerprinting. The molecular types were compared to their geographic distribution, specimen sources and patient’s risk factors. All four molecular types were described among the CI and only VNI and VNIV among the EI. VNIV molecular type was isolated with significant prevalence among the CI and VNI among the EI. A different geographical distribution of molecular types was detected: VNIV was the most prevalent in the North and Center of Italy;VNIII was isolated almost exclusively in the Center. No significant correlation among molecular types versus predisposing diseases or isolation sources was detected. The strains isolated from different body sites of the same patient (17 cases) were of the same genotype. Five out 9 cases relapsed with a different molecular type. This preliminary investigation shows a high intraspecies variability and reveals a nonhomogeneous distribution of C. neoformans molecular types in Italy.展开更多
Objective: To analyse the safety and effectiveness of biphasic insulin aspart 30 (BIAsp 30) in a Jordanian subgroup of the 24-week, non-interventional A1chieve study. Methods: A total of 509 Jordanian patients with ty...Objective: To analyse the safety and effectiveness of biphasic insulin aspart 30 (BIAsp 30) in a Jordanian subgroup of the 24-week, non-interventional A1chieve study. Methods: A total of 509 Jordanian patients with type 2 diabetes (392 insulin-naive and 117 insulin-experienced) starting BIAsp30, alone or in combination with oral glucose-lowering drugs, were included. Safety and effectiveness outcomes were analysed over 24 weeks. Results: Patients had a mean age of 55.8 years, body mass index of 28.8 kg/m2 and diabetes duration of 9.4 years at baseline. Two serious adverse drug reactions of hypoglycaemia were reported. The proportion of patients who reported major hypoglycaemic events decreased (2.4% at baseline vs. 0.2% at Week 24, p = 0.0039). The proportion of patients reporting overall hypoglycaemia increased marginally (6.3% at baseline vs. 9.9% at Week 24, p = 0.0378), primarily attributed to a rise in minor and nocturnal hypoglycaemia reported in insulin-naive patients. From baseline to Week 24, the mean ± SD glycated haemoglobin A1c level decreased from 9.8% ± 1.4% to 7.4% ± 0.9% (p < 0.001). Significant reductions after 24 weeks were also noted in the mean fasting plasma glucose, postprandial plasma glucose, lipids, systolic blood pressure and quality of life (all p < 0.001), while the mean body weight increased by 1.8 ± 6.5 kg (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Overall, BIAsp 30 therapy was well-tolerated and resulted in improved glycaemic control in this Jordanian subgroup over 24 weeks.展开更多
文摘Background: Although a number of studies have reported that the hot and humid compress from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is effective in treating lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with qi stagnation and blood stasis, clinical evidence is limited. Objective: The purpose of this study is to provide high-quality evidence to support the effectiveness of the traditional Chinese hot and humid compress in the treatment of LDH with qi stagnation and blood stasis. Methods: From October 2021 to November 2023, 86 patients with LDH of qi stagnation and blood stasis type were recruited in our hospital and divided into a control (n = 43) and an observation group (n = 43) according to the random number table method. The control group was given routine clinical treatment, and the observation group was treated with the hot and humid compress therapy for two weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, TCM syndrome score, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were observed and compared between the two groups before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated. Results: After treatment, the VAS score, TCM symptom score, and serum IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels decreased in both groups (P P P P P Conclusions: The hot and humid compress of traditional Chinese medicine can effectively relieve pain, restore lumbar function, improve TCM syndromes, reduce the level of inflammatory factors, and have a curative effect in treating LDH.
文摘Background: As a common and high incidence of disease, the minor ischemic stroke (MIS) has become an important public health problem. The aim of this study was to address whether patients with MIS have different types and outcome in the elderly in northern China. Methods: A retrospective cohort of consecutive patients was selected for study;all registered neurologic outpatients of the tertiary teaching hospital in northern Jiangsu, China between February, 2011 and February, 2012. A total of 433 outpatients, clinically only having had an initial visit and a MRI study of the brain, were enrolled. Results: Of 433 outpatients, 247 (57.0%) patients with MIS were diagnosed. The clinical types of MIS included stable MIS in 58.3%, acute progressive MIS in 5.3%, and chronic progressive MIS in 36.4% of patients. After adjusted Odd ratio (OR), only aged (OR, 1.0;95% confidence interval [CI], 1.007 - 1.087, p = 0.021), episode duration (OR, 1.8;95% CI, 1.011 - 1.024, p = 0.001), initial number of MIS (OR, 1.1;95% CI, 1.047 - 1.207, p = 0.001), and infarcts volume (OR, 1.8;95% CI, 1.253 - 2.681, p = 0.002) were independently associated with stable MIS and progressive MIS. Total survival was favorable among groups (p = 0.094), but the followed mRS score was significantly higher among those progressive MIS than those stable MIS (2.3 ± 1.0 vs 0.1 ± 0.3, p Conclusion: MIS had a very high prevalence and different clinical types. Stable MIS is a benign stroke, whereas those progressive MIS may have long-term instability or acute and chronic progressive trend. This information is important in prospectively determining outcome of MIS and in patient treatment.
文摘<strong>Background:</strong> Although the frequencies of getting drug naive type 2 diabetes patients among all the diabetic patients are very low, nowadays it claims more attention in the treatment procedures of drug naive diabetic patients. But in Bangladesh, we have very few research-oriented data regarding the demographic, clinical and biochemical characteristics of drug naive type 2 diabetes patients. The aim of this study was to determine the demographic clinical and biochemical characteristics of drug naive type 2 diabetes patients of Bangladesh. <strong>Methods: </strong>This was an open label observational real-life study which was conducted in the chambers of the investigators in several places of Bangladesh as outdoor setting during the period from August 2020 to December 2020. In total, 250 patients with drug naive type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled as the study population. Proper written consents were taken from all the participants before starting data collection. A pre-designed questionnaire was used in patient data collection. All data were processed, analyzed and disseminated by MS Office and SPSS version as per need. <strong>Result:</strong> Two hundred and fifty (250) participants were selected as study population. The male-female ratio of the participants was 1.4:1. The highest number of participants was from 51 - 60 years’ age group (31.20%). The highest number of participants (41%) was with overweight (BMI: 25 - 30 kg/m<sup>2</sup>). Majority (65%) of the patients of this study suffered from diabetes for ≤5 years. The mean (±SD) SBP of the participants was 137.25 ± 17.50 mmHg and the mean (±SD) DBP of the participants was 85.16 ± 13.39 mmHg. We found the mean (±SD) fasting blood sugar (mg/dl), post prandial blood sugar (mg/dl), total cholesterol (mg/dl), triglycerides (mg/dl), HDL-Cholesterol (mg/dl), LDL-cholesterol (mg/dl), VLDL-cholesterol (mg/dl), uric acid (mg/dl), creatinine (mg/dl), urea (mg/dl), total bilirubin (mg/dl), direct bilirubin (mg/dl), SGOT (IU/L) and SGPT (IU/L) were 251.51 ± 112.08, 349.72 ± 128.68, 219.59 ± 68.25, 196.44 ± 94.34, 35.14 ± 11.85, 145.72 ± 64.33, 40.88 ± 18.12, 3.45 ± 1.51, 0.86 ± 0.37, 29.16 ± 9.81, 0.87 ± 0.4, 0.48 ± 0.4, 37.15 ± 10.9 and 35.83 ± 23.04 respectively. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Obesity and hypertension demand more attention of diabetologists in diagnosis and treatment of patients or suspected patients of diabetes. Patients aged ≥ 50 years are most vulnerable and suspicious for diabetes. Besides age consequence habits of tobacco smoking, family history, smoking and HTN, alcohol intake and presence of nitrites in the urine may be considered as the most potential comorbidities for diabetic patients. Diagnosis of demographic, clinical and biochemical characteristics of drug naive type 2 diabetes patients may play a vital role in proper treatment.
基金This project was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81702478 and No. 81270865) and China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (No. 2016M600596).
文摘A growing number of children and adolescents are being diagnosed as Chiari malformation type I (CM- I ) for behavioral disorders, developmental delay, seizures, or abnormal orpharyngeal function. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics, imaging findings and surgical outcomes of CM- I in pediatric and adult patients. Between January 2014 and June 2017, 84 patients with CM- I underwent surgical treatment in our department. We divided the patients into two groups: pediatric group (n=l 1, age 〈18 years) and adult group (n=73, age 〉18 years). Data on clinical characteristics, imaging findings, surgical outcomes, and prognosis were retrospectively reviewed and compared between these two groups. For clinical presentation, scoliosis (36.4%) and developmental delay (36.4%) were more common in pediatric patients, whereas, sensory disturbance (58.9%) and motor weakness (41. 1%) were more common in adult patients. Imaging findings showed that the incidence of hydrocephalus and craniovertebral junctional abnormalities was significantly higher in pediatric group than in adult group (P〈0.05). Compared to adult group, pediatric group showed a better improvement or resolution of syrinx and tonsillar herniation after surgical treatments (P〈0.05). The total Chicago Chiari Outcome Scale (CCOS) score in pediatric patients at the last follow- up was significantly higher than that in adult patients (P=0.002). In conclusion, the clinical characteristics and imaging findings appeared to be different in pediatric and adult patients with CM- I. The surgical outcomes of pediatric patients were shown to be significantly better than those of adult patients.
基金Supported by Traditional Chinese Medicine Administration of Hebei Province(2015033)Supported by Chengde Medical College(201528)
文摘[Objectives] To explore the clinical efficacy of graphene waist protector on dysmenorrhea of cold-damp stagnation type.[Methods]150 patients with cold-damp stagnation type were randomly divided into 3 groups: 50 cases in the experimental group( using graphene waist protector),49 cases in the blank group( using the waist protector for removing the heating plate) and 51 cases in the control group( taking the Tongjingbao granules). After intervening for 3 menstrual cycles,visual analogue scale and the COX menstrual symptom scale were used to evaluate the clinical efficacy of graphene waist protector. [Results] The clinical effective rate of dysmenorrhea in experimental group was 64. 00%,while that of control group was 72. 54%. With the effective rate of symptoms,the test group was 56. 00% and the control group was 64. 70%; VAS dysmenorrhea visual score,duration of dysmenorrhea,severity of COX dysmenorrhea and duration of symptoms after intervention were significantly decreased in both experimental group and control group,the differences were statistically significant( P < 0. 05); for the differences of the scores before and after the intervention: the differences of the experimental group and the control group were statistically significant( P < 0. 05) compared with those of the blank group. There was no significant difference between experimental group and control group( P > 0. 05). [Conclusions] Graphene belt of experimental group and Tongjingbao granules of control group both have therapeutic effects on dysmenorrhea of cold-damp stagnation type. Graphene waist protector can relieve the pain and its accompanying symptoms in patients with primary dysmenorrhea of cold-damp stagnation type.
文摘Pediatric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL)is a highly aggressive disease with unique clinical characteristics.This study analyzed the germinal-center type B-cell(GCB)classification and clinical characteristics of Chinese pediatric DLBCL.A total of 76 patients with DLBCL newly diagnosed in Sun Yatsen University Cancer Center between February 2000 and May 2011,with an age younger than 18 years,were included in the analysis.The male/female ratio was 3.47:1.The median age was 12 years(range,2 to 18 years),and 47(61.8%)patients were at least 10 years old.Of the 76 patients,48(63.2%)had stage III/IV disease,9(11.8%)had bone marrow involvement,1(1.3%)had central nervous system(CNS)involvement,and 5(6.6%)had bone involvement.The GCB classification was assessed in 45 patients:26(57.8%)were classified as GCB subtype,and 19(42.2%)were classified as non-GCB subtype.The modified B-NHL-BFM-90/95 regimen was administered to 50 patients,and the 4-year event-free survival(EFS)rate was 85.8%.Among these 50 patients,31 were assessed for the GCB classification:17(54.8%)were classified as GCB subtype,with a 4-year EFS rate of 88.2%;14(45.2%)were classified as non-GCB subtype,with a 4-year EFS rate of 92.9%.Our data indicate that bone marrow involvement and stage III/IV disease are common in Chinese pediatric DLBCL patients,whereas the percentage of patients with the GCB subtype is similar to that of patients with the non-GCB subtype.The modified B-NHL-BFM-90/95protocol is an active and effective treatment protocol for Chinese pediatric patients with DLBCL.
文摘Aims/Introduction: Effectiveness of Diamel? on the biochemical variables: fasting blood glucose, postprandial glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and glycosylated haemoglobin [HbA1c] in type-2 diabetic patients receiving insulin terapy. Diamel is a natural product composed of trace elements: amino acids, vitamins, cranberry extract, and lettuce extract that have been activated by means of a magnetization process. Materials and methods: Randomized, doubleblind, comparator-controlled clinical trial. A central randomization centre used computer generated tables to allocate treatments. 116 patients suffering from type-2 diabetes mellitus treated with insulin at the Diabetes Care Centre in Pinar del Rio (Cuba), were recruited and randomly. The subjects were separated into two groups: Group A (n = 59), who were administered Diamel and Group B (n = 57) using placebo. The clinical and biochemical variables were assessed for 24 weeks. Results: Two subjects were excluded from the Diamel treatment group during the clinical trial. From the statistical point of view, a significant drop in the levels of the baseline glucose, postprandial glucose, glycated haemoglobin, and triglycerides was observed in the group taking Diamel (Group A). There was observed an increase in insulin requirements and in waist circumference in the subjects of Group B There was not reported any severe or serious adverse reactions during this clinical trial. Conclusion: Diamel (nutritional supplement) together with the administration of insulin in type-2 diabetic patients is useful to optimize the biochemical variables (baseline and postprandial glucose, Hb A1C, plus triglycerides), as well as to prevent the increase of insulin requirements at medium-term.
文摘<strong>Background:</strong> To make outpatient visits for adolescents with diabetes successful, it is important for health care professionals to meet the adolescents’ needs and wishes. <strong>Aims:</strong> The aim is to investigate adolescents’ expectations of an outpatient diabetes clinic visit in comparison to what was deemed to be delivered and contrast this outcome in adolescents with self-reported high- and low-diabetes distress respectively. <strong>Methods:</strong> All adolescents in Sweden with type 1 diabetes, aged 15 to 18 years, were identified via The National Pediatric Diabetes Registry (SWEDIABKIDS) and asked to complete an online questionnaire regarding their expectations and the support received during the outpatient diabetes clinic visit. <strong>Results:</strong> 453 adolescents completed the survey. Boys’ expectations of discussion topics were mainly met while girls, especially those with diabetes distress, felt their discussion needs were not met regarding quality-of-life aspects. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> Although adolescents’ expectations are in general met during the diabetes outpatient clinic visit, aspects related to living with diabetes are not being met especially among female adolescents who reported diabetes distress. This study shows a gender difference both regarding expected discussion topics and what was deemed covered. <strong>Practice Implications:</strong> A multi-professional, individual person-centred care approach is needed at the diabetes outpatient clinic. This paper proposes that agenda setting performed by the adolescent, and agreed by the physician, prior to the outpatient clinic visit could facilitate individualized care and better meet the adolescents’ needs in a shared decision-making process.
文摘The Erectile Dysfunction Observational Study (EDOS) is a 6-months observational prospective multicentric study enrolling men with erectile dysfunction (ED) who asked, to be started on a treatment or to change a previous treatment. Aims of the study were to analyse the pattern of treatment and compare the efficacy of treatments used. Patients were enrolled during a normal hospital visit and were prescribed a treatment for ED. They were asked at baseline and after 3 and 6 months, to answer a set of questions from the International Index of Erectile Function, Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) and Short Form of the Psychological and Interpersonal Relationships Scale questionnaires (SF-PAIRS). Clinicians were free to prescribe any therapy for ED available in the market, and to change therapy at any time during the study. Out of 1 338 patients, available for analysis at 6 months, 624 (47%) changed their treatment during the study and 714 (53%) continued with the drug prescribed at baseline. Patients assuming tadalafil had a significantly higher probability of maintaining the same treatment compared to sildenafil or vardenafil. There was no clinically significant difference in terms of efficacy, patient satisfaction, self-confidence and spontaneity between the different inhibitors of PDE5. The ‘time concerns' domain score of SF-PAIRS, was statistically better in patients assuming tadalafil. In conclusion sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil show similar efficacy in the clinical practice. However, patients receiving tadalafil display a lower risk to discontinue or change the treatment.
文摘Type 2 diabetes mellitus is emerging as a new clinical problem within pediatric practice.Recent reports indicate an increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents around the world in all ethnicities,even if the prevalence of obesity is not increasing any more.The majority of young people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus was found in specific ethnic subgroups such as African-American,Hispanic,Asian/Pacific Islanders and American Indians.Clinicians should be aware of the frequent mild or asymptomatic manifestation of type 2 diabetes mellitus in childhood.Therefore,a screening seems meaningful especially in high risk groups such as children and adolescents with obesity,relatives with type 2 diabetes mellitus,and clinical features of insulin resistance(hypertension,dyslipidemia,polycystic ovarian syndrome,or acanthosis nigricans).Treatment of choice is lifestyle intervention followed by pharmacological treatment(e.g.,metformin).New drugs such as dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitors or glucagon like peptide 1 mimetics are in the pipeline for treatment of youth with type2 diabetes mellitus.However,recent reports indicate a high dropout of the medical care system of adolescents with type 2 diabetes mellitus suggesting that management of children and adolescents with type2 diabetes mellitus requires some remodeling of current healthcare practices.
文摘Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1(MEN1) is an autosomal dominant inherited tumour syndrome expressing various endocrine and non-endocrine lesions and tumours. Since the identification of the causative gene, the oncosuppressor gene MEN1, in 1997, genetic testing has revealed an important approach for the early and differential diagnosis of the disease. The finding of a MEN1 mutation in a patient has important clinical implications for relatives since it allows very early disease diagnosis and identification of carriers, even before biochemical and/or clinical manifestation, permitting their inclusion in a specific program of surveillance and subsequent praecox therapy. Currently, genetic testing for MEN1 consists principally of the sequencing of coding regions and intron-exon junctions of the MEN1 gene. However, the recent acquisition of novel high throughput technologies will allow the design of innovative, accurate, complete and rapid genetic diagnosis. These new tools are able to increase the strength of the analysis and almost completely eliminate the possibility of false negative results. This review aims to give an overview on genetic testing of MEN1 syndrome, reporting the positive aspects of performing the analysis and the future perspectives for improving the performance of the test, as well as its application in clinical practice.
文摘In this study, we investigated whether a single nucleotide polymorphism (rs42524 G 〉 C) in the type I alpha 2 collagen gene was associated with sporadic ruptured intracranial aneurysm or its clinical characteristics in patients from Northeast China. Genotyping of the rs42524 G 〉 C polymorphism was carried out using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. The data showed that the frequency of the rs42524 GC + CC genotype was significantly higher than the GG genotype among intracranial aneurysm patients whose Hunt and Hess grading scale was 〉 3. In addition, the rs42524 G 〉 C genotype was found to have a statistically significant association with intracranial aneurysm risk. These findings indicate that the type I alpha 2 collagen gene gene may be involved in a predisposition to intracranial aneurysm in the Northeast Chinese population. Crucially, the rs42524 C allele may be an important risk factor for increased severity of the condition in patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms.
文摘Aim: Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a severe cardiovascular disorder seen in the Emergency Department (ED). B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) is usually ordered to evaluate the CHF severity. However, it is difficult to interpret serum BNP level when different clinical entities existed. The aim of this study is to illustrate the correlation between serum BNP level and relevant clinical variables and further determine the role of serum BNP in different CHF patients. Methods: Univariate comparisons between 26 clinical variables and serum BNP level were analyzed. In order to avoid confounding factors, potential independent clinical variables were analyzed together using multivariate regression. Results: 529 CHF patients were reviewed and divided into different groups by 26 clinical variables. Serum BNP levels were found statistically significant different by univariate compareson between groups divided by 8 clinical variables that included obesity, diastolic/systolic heart failure (HF), serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level, serum creatinine (Cr) level, serum sodium (Na) level, patients taking loop diuretics, history of cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and history of dementia. Among all 8 clinical variables, obesity, serum BUN, Cr level, and diastolic/systolic HF had weak-to-moderate correlation effects with serum BNP level by correlation coefficient analysis. However, only obesity and dia- stolic/systolic HF were two moderately stronger clini- cal variables that can affect the serum BNP levels by multivariate regression. Analyzing CHF patients separately by obesity and diastolic/systolic HF subsets showed longer hospitalization in diastolic HF patients with relatively higher serum Cr level. In addition, poor correlation was found between serum BNP level and length of hospitalization (LOH) as well. Conclusion: High variability of serum BNP levels exists in CHF patients with weak-to-moderate correlation effects particularly on obesity and diastolic/systolic HF.It is recommended that physicians should be cautious on interpreting BNP in different CHF populations.
文摘Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast causing mainly opportunistic infections. DNA molecular typing techniques divided C. neoformans into four major molecular types (AFLP1/VNI, AFLP1A/VNB/VNII, AFLP1B/ VNII, AFLP3/VNIII, AFLP2/VNIV) characterized by different pathogenicity, geographical distribution and susceptibility to antifungal treatments. In this study 170 Italian C. neoformans clinical isolates (CI) and 32 environmental isolates (EI), collected and serotyped during a ten-year period (1985 to 1995), were genotyped using [GACA]4 microsatellite PCR fingerprinting. The molecular types were compared to their geographic distribution, specimen sources and patient’s risk factors. All four molecular types were described among the CI and only VNI and VNIV among the EI. VNIV molecular type was isolated with significant prevalence among the CI and VNI among the EI. A different geographical distribution of molecular types was detected: VNIV was the most prevalent in the North and Center of Italy;VNIII was isolated almost exclusively in the Center. No significant correlation among molecular types versus predisposing diseases or isolation sources was detected. The strains isolated from different body sites of the same patient (17 cases) were of the same genotype. Five out 9 cases relapsed with a different molecular type. This preliminary investigation shows a high intraspecies variability and reveals a nonhomogeneous distribution of C. neoformans molecular types in Italy.
文摘Objective: To analyse the safety and effectiveness of biphasic insulin aspart 30 (BIAsp 30) in a Jordanian subgroup of the 24-week, non-interventional A1chieve study. Methods: A total of 509 Jordanian patients with type 2 diabetes (392 insulin-naive and 117 insulin-experienced) starting BIAsp30, alone or in combination with oral glucose-lowering drugs, were included. Safety and effectiveness outcomes were analysed over 24 weeks. Results: Patients had a mean age of 55.8 years, body mass index of 28.8 kg/m2 and diabetes duration of 9.4 years at baseline. Two serious adverse drug reactions of hypoglycaemia were reported. The proportion of patients who reported major hypoglycaemic events decreased (2.4% at baseline vs. 0.2% at Week 24, p = 0.0039). The proportion of patients reporting overall hypoglycaemia increased marginally (6.3% at baseline vs. 9.9% at Week 24, p = 0.0378), primarily attributed to a rise in minor and nocturnal hypoglycaemia reported in insulin-naive patients. From baseline to Week 24, the mean ± SD glycated haemoglobin A1c level decreased from 9.8% ± 1.4% to 7.4% ± 0.9% (p < 0.001). Significant reductions after 24 weeks were also noted in the mean fasting plasma glucose, postprandial plasma glucose, lipids, systolic blood pressure and quality of life (all p < 0.001), while the mean body weight increased by 1.8 ± 6.5 kg (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Overall, BIAsp 30 therapy was well-tolerated and resulted in improved glycaemic control in this Jordanian subgroup over 24 weeks.