Medicine
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Meta Analysis
Platelet-rich plasma vs corticosteroids for elbow epicondylitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) vs corticosteroids for treatment of patients with lateral elbow epicondylitis. ⋯ Local corticosteroid injections demonstrated favorable outcomes compared with those of local PRP treatments for lateral elbow epicondylitis during the short-term follow-up period (4 weeks and 8 weeks post-treatment). Otherwise, at the long-term follow-up (24 weeks post-treatment), PRP injections had improved pain and function more effectively than corticosteroid injections.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Efficacy and safety of Cortex Eucommiae (Eucommia ulmoides Oliver) extract in subjects with mild osteoarthritis: Study protocol for a 12-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major degenerative disease that affects the elderly. The global prevalence of OA is increasing annually. However, current treatments are unable to halt the progress of OA. At present, pharmacological treatments such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors control the pain; however, there may be side effects to these medications. We hypothesized that Cortex Eucommiae (CE; Eucommia ulmoides Oliver) extract, which is used as a dietary supplement, may slow down or prevent OA. ⋯ This clinical trial is expected to provide evidence of the efficacy and safety of CE extract as a treatment for mild OA.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Thyroid imaging reporting and data system combined with Bethesda classification in qualitative thyroid nodule diagnosis.
We aimed to investigate the value of the combined use of high-resolution ultrasound thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TI-RADS) classification and thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology (Bethesda classification) for the qualitative diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules. ⋯ The combination of high-resolution ultrasonography TI-RADS classification and US-FNAC (Bethesda classification) can improve the accuracy of malignant thyroid nodules diagnosis.
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Hemifacial spasm (HFS) brings a lot of trouble to patients' daily life, having a severe influence on the psychological and physical wellbeing of patients. Relevant researches suggested that acupuncture therapy has potential benefits for HFS. However, there is no consistent conclusion. The purpose of our study is to assess whether acupuncture therapy is effective and safe for HFS. ⋯ International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) CRD42019142473.
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Observational Study
Concomitant lung adenocarcinoma and pulmonary cryptococcosis confirmed by pathologic examinations.
To describe the characteristics of concomitant lung cancer and pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) cases. A total of 8 patients with lung cancer and coexisting PC, who were admitted to Fuzhou Pulmonary Hospital of Fujian from 1st January 2009 to 31st December 2015 and whose diagnoses were confirmed by pathological examinations, were studied. One patient had a history of diabetes mellitus and 1 had a history of treated with surgery. ⋯ One patient with advanced lung cancer and PC was treated with antifungal therapy in combination with antineoplastic chemotherapy, but she failed to improve and died 10 months after symptom onset during the follow-up period. PC coexisting with pulmonary carcinoma is rare. PC can manifest as pulmonary nodules and mimic malignant lesions, so it must be considered during a differential diagnosis of pulmonary nodules, especially in immunosuppressed patients.