Medicine
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Observational Study
Impact of global spine balance and cervical regional alignment on determination of postoperative cervical alignment after laminoplasty.
The aim of this study is to analyze the combined impact of preoperative T1 slope (T1S) and C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis (C2-C7 SVA) on determination of cervical alignment after laminoplasty. Forty patients undergoing laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) with more than 2 years follow-up were enrolled. Three parameters, including cervical lordosis, T1S, and C2-C7 SVA, were measured by preoperative and postoperative radiographs. ⋯ However, patients with high T1S and large SVA (T1 >20° and SVA >22 mm) got mean postoperative C2-C7 SVA value of 37.06 mm, close to the threshold value of 40 mm. Determination of cervical alignment after laminoplasty relies on the equilibrium between destruction of cervical structure, kyphotic force, and adaptive compensation of whole spine, lordotic force. Lower T1S means bigger compensatory ability to adjust different severity of cervical sagittal malalignment, and vice versa.
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Recently, there is an increasing number of clinical trials on Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) published, but the implementation of Clinical Trial Registration (CTR), Ethical Review (ER), and Informed Consent (IC) in clinical trials of TCM is unclear. This study aims to investigate the status of CTR, ER, and IC in clinical trials of TCM. Clinical trials of TCM published in 10 high-quality Chinese journals in 2016 were selected as a sample. ⋯ Trial registration, protocol approval, and informed consent were not well executed. Especially registration and ethical review of clinical trials in TCM should be carefully concerned by researchers, clinicians, and journal editors. Training on methodology of clinical trial should be strengthened.
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Observational Study
Study on the incidence and risk factor of silent cerebrovascular disease in young adults with first-ever stroke.
Silent cerebrovascular diseases, including silent brain infarcts (SBI), white matter hyperintensity (WMH), and cerebral microbleed, are closely correlated with stroke progression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and potential risk factors of SBI and WMH in young patients with first-ever stroke. A total of 400 young patients with first-ever stroke were included in this study and received magnetic resonance imaging test. ⋯ Hypertension (odds ratio [OR] = 2.645, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.429-4.896, P = .002 for SBI; OR = 5.474, 95% CI = 2.319-12.921, P = .000 for WMH; OR = 39.988, 95% CI = 3.988-400.949, P = .002 for SBI and WMH) and homocysteine (OR = 4.033, 95% CI = 2.191-7.425, P = .000 for SBI; OR = 5.989, 95% CI = 2.637-13.602, P = .000 for WMH; OR = 4.068, 95% CI = 1.207-13.715, P = .024 for SBI and WMH) might be potential risk factors for SBI and WMH. The prevalence of silent cerebrovascular disease was elevated with age. Hypertension and elevated homocysteine levels were 2 risk factors for silent cerebrovascular disease in young stroke patients.
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Hyperthyroid heart disease (HHD), one of the most common complications of hyperthyroidism, is a serious public health problem due to the direct toxic or indirect effects of excessive thyroid hormone on the heart, resulting in high mortality and increasing health care costs. Traditional Chinese patent medicines (TCPMs), developed by combining modernized pharmaceutical technologies with ancient TCM theories, have been widely used in the treatment of HHD. However, the safety and efficacy of TCPMs used in patients with HHD has been uncertain and there has been no standard clinical trial published to confirm this. Thus, we conduct a study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of TCPMs for HHD. ⋯ The conclusion of this systematic review will provide evidence to prove whether TCPMs are effective therapeutic intervention for patient with HHD.
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Observational Study
Prevention of depression in first-year university students with high harm avoidance: Evaluation of the effects of group cognitive behavioral therapy at 1-year follow-up.
High harm avoidance (HA) scores on the temperament and character inventory appear to be a risk factor for depressive disorders and suicide. Since 2012, we have conducted group cognitive behavioral therapy (G-CBT) interventions for students at Nagasaki University with high HA and without depressive disorders, with the aim of preventing depression. Here, we report on the effects of the G-CBT at 1-year follow-up for the 2012 to 2015 period. ⋯ Improvements in cognitive schemas were also seen at 6 months and 1 year. We observed improvements in cognitive schemas associated with depression as a result of the G-CBT intervention, with effects maintained at 1 year post-intervention. This intervention may be effective in positively modifying the cognitions of students with HA and preventing future depression.