Medicine
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Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a particularly common problem in preterm infants. Although surgical ligation is rarely performed in many contemporary neonatal intensive care units, it remains a necessary treatment option for preterm infants with a large hemodynamically significant PDA under strict clinical criteria, and it can reduce mortality in preterm infants. However, the optimal timing of surgical ligation is still controversial. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the mortality and morbidity of early and late surgical ligation of PDA in preterm or very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. ⋯ CRD42019133686.
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Ruling out distant metastases, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)treatment depends on the results of mediastinal node staging (N staging). Several diagnostic methods play central roles in mediastinal N staging. This study is intended to evaluate the existing diagnostic methods and report quality, and to search for the best method for staging mediastinal lymph nodes. ⋯ CRD42019145667.
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Due to advances in technology and medical devices, intra-thoracic left ventricular assisted devices such as the fully magnetically levitated centrifugal-flow pump may now prolong the life of patients with advanced heart failure. However, several concerns have been raised about pump thrombosis and durability of the device. We aimed to systematically compare the two year outcomes of magnetic levitated centrifugal continuous flow circulatory pump versus the axial continuous flow pump for advanced heart failure. ⋯ At a follow-up time period of 2 years, pump replacement was significantly higher with the axial continuous-flow pump in comparison to the magnetic levitated centrifugal continuous flow circulatory pump. However, no significant difference was observed with the other adverse outcomes.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of subcutaneous needling on visual analogue scale, IgG and IgM in patients with lumbar disc herniation: Study protocol clinical trial (SPIRIT Compliant).
Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a disease commonly seen in clinical practice. In the majority of such patients presenting in clinic, the symptoms can be relieved or even abolished after non-surgical treatment. Floating needle therapy has attracted considerable attention as a promising non-surgical technique to treat LDH, as demonstrated in previous studies. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the outcomes of patients treated using this therapy in a single blind and randomized controlled trial by recording patient report questionnaires and objective test data, and to explore the feasibility and preliminary effects of floating needle therapy for patients with LDH. ⋯ PROSPERO (registration number ChiCTR1900024045).
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Meta Analysis
Whether statin use improves the survival of patients with glioblastoma?: A meta-analysis.
Glioblastomas are malignant brain tumors associated with high mortality and poor prognosis. Evidence from preclinical studies suggests that statins have an antitumor role, but their effects on the survival of patients with glioblastoma remain controversial. This meta-analysis attempts to assess the association between statins and glioblastoma. ⋯ Use of statins was not associated with prolonged survival of patients with glioblastoma. Further well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm.