Medicine
-
Meta Analysis
Efficacy and safety of corticosteroids prophylaxis in cardiac surgery: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.
Although corticosteroid prophylaxis in adult cardiac surgery has been studied extensively for 40 years, its role remains controversial, and the optimal dose remains uncertain. The objective of this meta-analysis was to estimate the clinical benefits and risks of corticosteroid use in cardiopulmonary bypass. ⋯ This study will compare the efficacy of tprophylactic corticosteroids for adults and children undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB. Due to the nature of the disease and intervention methods, randomized controlled trials may be inadequate, and we will carefully consider inclusion in high-quality, non-randomized controlled trials, but this may result in high heterogeneity and affect the reliability of the results.
-
Previous published studies have reported the association of cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) genetic polymorphisms with the susceptibility to head and neck cancer, but the results remain controversial. We therefore will conduct a meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between CTLA-4 genetic polymorphisms and head and neck cancer susceptibility. ⋯ DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/BFJTZ (https://osf.io/bfjtz/).
-
The pathogenesis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy is more complex and it is not yet clear, but studies have shown that microangiopathy and oxidative stress responses are closely related to their pathogenesis. At present, the treatment of improving microcirculation and antioxidant stress is mainly used in clinical. Alprostadil is a commonly used vasodilator, and alpha lipoic acid is an antioxidant, which can effectively reduce oxidative stress responses and delay the progression of diabetes mellitus and its complications. However, there is a lack of evidence-based medical evidence for alprostadil combined with alpha lipoic acid in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and this article aims to understand the clinical effectiveness and safety of alprostadil combined with alpha lipoic acid in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropath by a meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials. ⋯ Open Science Framework (OSF), registration number: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/7S46G.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of electroacupuncture on restless legs syndrome (RLS) in hemodialysis patients: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is frequent in dialysis patients and occurs predominantly in its most severe forms. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) in hemodialysis patients with RLS by heart rate variability (HRV) monitor. ⋯ This study is the first investigation to analyze the relationship between EA and the change of HRV by an objective monitor. If the findings of the current trial are positive, this study will also help support an effective, safe and cheap approach to clinical treatment of this challenging disorder, help foster improved understanding the relationship between autonomic nervous system and RLS, and ultimately contribute to elucidate the mechanisms of EA.
-
Review Case Reports
Cryptococcosis caused by cryptococcus gattii: 2 case reports and literature review.
Cryptococcosis caused by Cryptococcus gattii, is a life threatening fungal infection with recently increasing prevalence. C. gattii is a species complex comprising multiple independent species. However, many biological characteristics and clinical features of cryptococcosis due to C. gattii are relatively less well defined. ⋯ Upon detailed review of all 35 cases of C. gattii infections, it was observed that C. gattii can cause debilitating illness in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. Cryptococcosis due to C. gattii is a serious systemic fungal infection, with pulmonary central nervous system tropism. Epidemiologically, C. gattii infection is not only restricted in tropical and subtropical regions, but also in other geographical settings.