Clinical comprehensive treatment protocol for managing diabetic foot ulcers:A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND Diabetic foot ulcers(DFUs)are a common complication of diabetes,often leading to severe infections,amputations,and reduced quality of life.The current standard treatment protocols for DFUs have limitations in promoting efficient wound healing and preventing complications.A comprehensive treatment approach targeting multiple aspects of wound care may offer improved outcomes for patients with DFUs.The hypothesis of this study is that a comprehensive treatment protocol for DFUs will result in faster wound healing,reduced amputation rates,and improved overall patient outcomes compared to standard treatment protocols.AIM To compare the efficacy and safety of a comprehensive treatment protocol for DFUs with those of the standard treatment protocol.METHODS This retrospective study included 62 patients with DFUs,enrolled between January 2022 and January 2024,randomly assigned to the experimental(n=32)or control(n=30)group.The experimental group received a comprehensive treatment comprising blood circulation improvement,debridement,vacuum sealing drainage,recombinant human epidermal growth factor and anti-inflammatory dressing,and skin grafting.The control group received standard treatment,which included wound cleaning and dressing,antibiotics administration,and surgical debridement or amputation,if necessary.Time taken to reduce the white blood cell count,number of dressing changes,wound healing rate and time,and amputation rate were assessed.RESULTS The experimental group exhibited significantly better outcomes than those of the control group in terms of the wound healing rate,wound healing time,and amputation rate.Additionally,the comprehensive treatment protocol was safe and well tolerated by the patients.CONCLUSION Comprehensive treatment for DFUs is more effective than standard treatment,promoting granulation tissue growth,shortening hospitalization time,reducing pain and amputation rate,improving wound healing,and enhancing quality of life.

Interpretation of Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia(Trial Version 7)

On March 3,2020,the National Health Commission and the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China jointly promulgated the Notice on Printing and Distributing the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia(Trial Version 7).The content has been revised and supplemented on the basis of the Version 6,including etiological characteristics and pathological changes in lung,heart,kidney,spleen,liver,gallbladder,esophagus,stomach and intestinal mucosal epithelium.In particular,the diagnosis and treatment methods of traditional Chinese medicine are supplemented.It provides an evidence-based diagnosis and treatment protocol for the treatment and recovery of suspected and confirmed cases of novel coronavirus pneumonia with traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine.

Clinical outcomes in patients with stage non-seminomatous germ cell cancer

This study assesses the long-term outcomes in Han Chinese patients with clinical stage I non-seminomatous germ cell testicular cancer （CSI NSGCT） treated with surveillance, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection （RPLND） and adjuvant chemotherapy. We retrospectively evaluated 89 patients with a mean age of 26.5 years. After orchiectomy, 37 patients were treated with surveillance, 34 underwent RPLND and 18 were managed with chemotherapy. The overall survival rate, the recurrence-free survival rate and the risk factors were evaluated. The median follow-up length was 92 months （range： 6-149 months）. Thirteen of the 89 patients （14.6%） had relapses, and one died by the evaluation date. The overall survival rate was 98.9%. The cumulative 4-year recurrence-free rates were 80.2%, 92.0% and 100% for the surveillance, RPLND and chemotherapy groups, respectively. The disease-free period tended to be briefer in patients with a history of cryptorchidism and those with stage Is. Therefore, surveillance, RPLND and adjuvant chemotherapy might be reliable strategies in compliant patients with CSI NSGCT. Surveillance should be recommended for patients with the lowest recurrence rate, especially those without lymphovascular invasion. This study might aid the establishment of a standard therapy for CSI NSGCT in China.

The Standardization of Acupuncture Treatment for Radiation-Induced Xerostomia:A Literature Review

Objective： To assess the relative standardization of acupuncture protocols for radiation-induced xerostomia. Methods： A literature search was carried out up to November 10, 2012 in the databases PubMed/ MEDLINE, EMBASE and China National Knowledge Infrastruction with the terms： radiation-induced xerostomia, acupuncture, acupuncture treatment, and acupuncture therapy. Five ancient Chinese classic acupuncture works were also reviewed with the keywords ＂dry mouth, thirst, dry tongue, dry eyes and dry lips＂ to search the effective acupuncture points for dry mouth-associated symptoms in ancient China. Results： Twenty-two full-text articles relevant to acupuncture treatment for radiation-induced xerostomia were included and a total of 48 acupuncture points were searched in the 5 ancient Chinese classic acupuncture works, in which the most commonly used points were Chengjiang （CV24）, Shuigou （GV 26）, Duiduan （GV 27）, Jinjin （EX-HN 12）, and Yuye （EX-HN 13） on head and neck, Sanjian （LI 3）, Shangyang （LI 1）, Shaoshang （LU 11）, Shaoze （SI 1）, Xialian （LI 8） on hand, Fuliu （KI 7）, Dazhong （KI 4）, Zuqiaoyin （GB 44）, Taichong （LR 3）, Zhaohai （KI 6） on foot, Burong （ST 19）, Zhangmen （LR 13）, Tiantu （CV 22）, Qimen （LR 14） on abdomen, Feishu （BL 13）, Danshu （BL 19）, Xiaochaogshu （BL 27）, Ganshu （BL 18） on back, Shenmen （TF 4）, Shen （CO10, Kidney）, Yidan （CO11, Pancreas） and Pi （CO13, Spleen） on ear. Conclusion： There were considerable heterogeneities in the current acupuncture treatment protocols for radiation-induced xerostomia. Based on the results of the review and the personal perspectives, the authors provide a recommendation for manual acupuncture protocols in treating radiationinduced xerostomia patients with head and neck cancer.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Pattern Classification and Herbal Medicine for COVID-19: A Comparative Study of Data from Different Sources

Background: Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) plays a crucial role in the prevention and control of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19). Objective: The study aimed to reveal the distribution characteristics of COVID-19 TCM syndrome types and syndrome elements and the law of TCM treatment and medication. Methods: The TCM diagnosis and treatment protocol for COVID-19 and clinical research data were obtained through network retrieval, and Revman 5.3 and SPSS 23.0 were employed to analyze the composition of TCM syndromes and the situation of TCMs in meta and frequency. Results: The top three TCM syndromes of COVID-19 included damp-heat accumulation in the lung pattern, damp abundance due to spleen deficiency, and epidemic toxin invading the lung pattern, while the syndrome elements were dampness, heat, and toxin. Gypsum fibrosum, Pogostemonis herba, and Armeniacae semen were identified as the commonly used drugs. Different syndrome elements were identified at lung disease location: Forsythiae fructus, Glycyrrhizae radix, and Armeniacae semen can be used for “wind;” Glycyrrhizae radix, Armeniacae semen, and Scutellariae radix can be used for “Heat;” Armeniacae semen, Sheng Gypsum fibrosum, and Ephedrae herba can be used for “Toxin;” Ephedrae herba, Armeniacae semen, and Atractylodis rhizome can be used for “Damp;” Magnoliae officinalis Cortex, Ephedrae herba, and Zingiberis Rhizoma recens can be used for “cold;” and Armeniacae semen, Gypsum fibrosum, Ephedrae herba, and Lepidii/Descurainiae semen can be used for “epidemic.” Conclusion: The establishment of a treatment scheme based on the classification of disease syndrome elements should be considered for sudden infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. Pogostemonis herba, Armeniacae semen, Gypsum fibrosum, and Glycyrrhizae radix should be considered as effective drugs from TCM for the treatment of COVID-19.