Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Amlodipine/valsartan fixed-dose combination treatment in the management of hypertension: A double-blind, randomized trial.
To compare the fixed-dose combination (FDC) of amlodipine/valsartan 5/80 mg with valsartan 160 mg monotherapy for efficacy and safety in hypertensive patients. ⋯ Efficacy of amlodipine/valsartan 5/80 mg FDC was superior to that of valsartan 160 mg monotherapy while both treatments were well-tolerated.
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Whether low-risk Kawasaki disease (KD) patients are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life remains controversial. The purpose of this study is to examine the arterial stiffness and exercise performance of KD patients in chronic stage. ⋯ Our results suggest that arterial stiffness is present late after KD and may adversely affect exercise performance, especially in patients with regressed CALs. Regular measurement of baPWV may be indicated in the long-term follow-up of KD patients.
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A suitable fundus camera for telemedicine screening can expand the scale of eye care service. The purpose of this study was to compare a handheld nonmydriatic digital fundus camera and a conventional mydriatic fundus camera according to the image quality of their photographs and usability of those photographs to accurately diagnose various retinal diseases. ⋯ This study demonstrated the effectiveness of the handheld nonmydriatic fundus camera in clinical practice and its feasibility for telemedicine screening of retinal diseases.
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Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by an esophagectomy is the standard treatment for locally advanced esophageal cancer, but remains a great challenge for elderly patients. Therefore, we aim to evaluate the efficacy of definitive CRT in elderly patients with esophageal cancer. ⋯ Definitive CRT with dose modification is a feasible, safe, and reasonable treatment for elderly esophageal cancer patients. Achieving a better compliance to CRT via an optimal dose modification of chemotherapy may provide better clinical outcomes and would be the treatment goal for elderly esophageal cancer patients.
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To surgically remove osteoma and to keep an optimal cosmetic profile would be very challenging. To solve the difficulty, we utilized the three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies in generating a patient-specific instrument guide (PSIG) for the safe removal of a skull bone tumor. ⋯ The PSIG was able to guide the surgeon in the safe removal of the skull osteoma, as well as in maintaining the cosmetic skull profile.