Medicine
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic and autoimmune inflammatory disease ending with the destruction of joints. Current therapies can relieve RA symptoms, but some also bring severe adverse events. Therefore, an effective and safe therapeutic strategy remains to be created to benefit patients with RA by large. Jia Wei Niu Bang Zi granule (NBZG) consisting of RA-fighting Chinese herbals has been used in Longhua Hospital in the last several decades. NBZG has potential therapeutic effect on RA, which should be evaluated by larger sample clinical trial. ⋯ Although NBZG has shown efficacy in treating RA in Longhua Hospital for decades, the universality of this efficacy needs evaluated. The results of this trial will provide a convincing evidence about NBZG's efficacy in treating active RA in a large population.
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Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can be a stage of pre-dementia. Although the traditional Chinese exercise (TCE) has benefits associated with cognitive functions, the effects of the TCE on cognitive functions of older patients with MCI remain controversial. This study performs a meta-analysis to quantify the efficiency of TCE for older individuals on cognitive and psychological outcomes. ⋯ The findings of this study suggested that the TCE was associated with significant improvement in visuospatial function but did not affect the global cognitive functions, depression and other specific cognitive domains. There is a lack of clear evidence for effects of TCE; further large, rigorously designed studies are needed.
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Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are an established kind of drugs used to the treatment of most acid-related diseases. Some prospective studies have noticed that PPI use was associated with increased dementia risk. However, the results of those studies were inconsistent and controversial. This meta-analysis aims to determine the association of PPI use and risk of dementia among older people. ⋯ This meta-analysis suggests that there was no statistical association between PPIs use and increased risk of dementia or AD.
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This systematic review will address the efficacy and safety of methotrexate, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (MAP) for the treatment of patients with osteosarcoma. ⋯ PROSPERO CRD42018120004.
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a frequent comorbid disease in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery, with an incidence ranging from 4% to 20.5%. Conventionally, COPD was recognized as a surgical contraindication to CABG. Because of the recent improvements in surgical techniques, anesthesia, and postoperative management, CABG has been performed more commonly in patients with COPD. However, studies have shown the various effects of COPD on postoperative morbidity and mortality after CABG, and this remains to be well defined. ⋯ Patients with COPD were at higher risks for developing postoperative morbidities, particularly pneumonia, respiratory failure, stroke, renal failure, and wound infection. Although COPD was not associated with a higher risk of mortality, caution should be taken when a patient with COPD is indicated for CABG, considering the higher odds of postoperative complications involving the respiratory system and others.