Medicine
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between tocolysis for preterm uterine contraction and the risk of nonreassuring fetal status. This was a retrospective cohort study using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Pregnant women were enrolled if they delivered a baby during January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2011. ⋯ After adjusting for covariates, pregnant women receiving tocolysis more than one time during pregnancy were found to have significantly higher risk of the nonreassuring fetal status when compared with pregnant women who did not receive tocolysis for uterine contraction (Odds Ratio = 2.70, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.13-6.49). Pregnant women with more frequent tocolysis for preterm uterine contraction during pregnancy had an increased risk of nonreassuring fetal status. Close evaluation of dose and duration of tocolytic treatment is necessary for pregnant women with preterm uterine contraction.
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This study, an important groundwork for clinical tongue diagnosis and future traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research, tested the hypothesis that some tongue features vary significantly between different gender and age groups by utilizing an automatic tongue diagnosis system (ATDS). A cross-sectional study of 1487 participants from a community-based population was performed. Study subjects with ages ranging from 20 to 92 were categorized into 3 groups: <40, 40 to 64, and ≥65 years old, and the subjects were also stratified according to gender. ⋯ These associations of age with more fissures, fewer teeth marks, fewer red dots (P < .001), median tongue shape (P = .029), and wet saliva (P = .014) were also evident in males, but other relationships were not clearly evident. Even though most of the common tongue features derived from a community-based population are consistent with TCM theory, yet some significantly gender- and age-dependent tongue characteristics were identified. These disparities in tongue features associated with gender or age shall be prudently taken into consideration in clinical tongue diagnosis and future TCM research.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A randomized double-blind study comparing prophylactic norepinephrine and ephedrine infusion for preventing maternal spinal hypotension during elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia: A CONSORT-compliant article.
Studies have shown the efficacy of norepinephrine in the treatment of maternal hypotension during cesarean section by comparing it to treatment with phenylephrine. However, few studies have compared the efficacy of norepinephrine to ephedrine. ⋯ Infusion of 4 μg/minute norepinephrine presented fewer cases of tachycardia, less fluctuation and a lower HR compared to baseline values, as well as a less stressed fetal status compared to ephedrine infusion at 4 mg/minute. In addition, norepinephrine infusion presented a lower standardized SBP compared to ephedrine.
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Essential hypertension is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world and a major risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Hypertension often leads to a variety of complications, of which vascular endothelial dysfunction is an important part. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) combined with western medicine can significantly improve vascular endothelial function in patients with hypertension, but it has not been systematically evaluated for efficacy and safety of essential hypertension. Therefore, we aim to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TCM combined with western medicine in improving vascular endothelial function in patients with essential hypertension. ⋯ CRD42019140743.
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Comparison of adductor canal block with periarticular infiltration analgesia in total knee arthroplasty: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is accompanied by moderate to severe postoperative pain. Multimodal analgesia, such as femoral nerve block, periarticular infiltration analgesia (PIA), and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia, have been used for postoperative analgesia. Recently, randomized controlled trials have compared the efficacy of the adductor canal block (ACB) and the PIA in patients undergoing TKA. However, there is no definite answer as to the efficacy and safety of the ACB compared with the PIA. ⋯ Our pooled data indicated the ACB group reduced the equivalent morphine consumption compared with the PIA group, with no statistically significant differences in the VAS score, quadriceps muscle strength, TUG test, complications, and LOS.