Clinics
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Effect of vitamin D3 on antiphospholipid antibodies in hospitalized patients with moderate to severe COVID-19.
To investigate the effect of a single oral dose of 200,000 IU of vitamin D3 on antiphospholipid antibodies in hospitalized patients with moderate to severe COVID-19. ⋯ These findings do not support the use of a single oral dose of 200,000 IU of vitamin D3 to modulate autoantibodies in hospitalized patients with moderate to severe COVID-19.
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Review
Is religiosity/spirituality in patients with Crohn's disease important to their quality of life?
The authors aim to study Religiosity/Spirituality (R/S) and Quality of Life (QoL) in patients with Crohn's disease and their correlation with the disease phenotypes. ⋯ The studied population presented homogeneous sociodemographic results and high religious and spiritual activity. R/S in a positive context were not associated with better QoL or phenotype. R/S is present in the patients' lives and could be seen as an important tool for adherence to treatment and the professional relationship between doctor and patient. The homogeneity of the sample difficult for an appropriate evaluation, which leads us to suggest new studies with more heterogeneous groups.
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Visceral Crisis (VC) in breast cancer is a critical scenario when the burden of metastatic disease results in rapid deterioration of organ functions. There are no widely accepted objective clinical criteria for the definition of VC, and different studies have reported diverse clinical conditions such as visceral crises. Diagnosis of VC is associated with a dismal prognosis and the management of this condition is currently based on limited retrospective evidence and expert opinions. ⋯ Nevertheless, in the case of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, the role of chemotherapy as the treatment of choice for VC has been recently questioned, since endocrine therapy plus CDK4/6 inhibitors yielded similar response rates, with better quality of life. For HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer, combined chemotherapy (plus HER2-directed therapy for HER2-positive) remains a standard option for VC, but novel effective drugs such as antibody-drug conjugates are emerging and their role in the VC context shall soon be elucidated. This review aims to critically discuss the definition, prognosis, management, and future directions regarding the visceral crisis in metastatic breast cancer.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of Specific mode electroacupuncture stimulation combined with NGF during the ischaemic stroke: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
The emergence of the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) has promoted the development of neuroprotective therapy; however, it has little effect on cerebral ischemia because of its poor Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) permeability. Specific Mode Electroacupuncture Stimulation (SMES) can open BBB safely and effectively; however, it has shown inconclusive clinical effects and indirect clinical evidence in the recovery phase. Hence, the authors conducted a multicentre, randomized, placebo-controlled, assessor-blinded clinical trial to assess the effectiveness and safety of SMES combined with NGF treatment used during ischaemic stroke recovery. ⋯ This study will provide clinical evidence for the efficacy and safety of SMES combined with NGF in the treatment of stroke patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Structured respiratory physiotherapy protocol for resolution of atelectasis in pediatric intensive care.
Children are at higher risk of atelectasis due to their anatomical and physiological particularities. Several physiotherapy techniques are used to treat atelectasis, but only four studies cite methods in pediatric patients undergoing Invasive Mechanical Ventilation (IMV). The objective of this study was to evaluate the Structured Respiratory Physiotherapy Protocol (SRPP) for airway clearance and lung reexpansion for infants on IMV with atelectasis. ⋯ There were large within-group effects on the reduction of WD in the CG after intervention in both the CG (Hedges' g = -1.53) and IG (Hedges' g = -2.2). There was a moderate effect on LUS reduction in the CG (Hedges' g = -0.64) and a large effect on IG (Hedges' g = -1.88). This study has shown that the SRPP appears to be safe and may be effective in improving airway clearance and lung reexpansion in children on IMV with atelectasis.