Medicine
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As immune checkpoint pathways, programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) can be exploited by tumor cells to evade immuno-surveillance. Inflammation and immune processes play decisive roles in the occurrence and development of coronary heart disease (CHD). The low expression level of PD-1/ PD-L1 or anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy can accelerate the immune processes in CHD and aggravates disease based on numerous studies. However, the expression of PD-L1 and CHD still remains controversial to date. We conducted this meta-analysis to detect the value of PD-L1 expression on peripheral T-cells in CHD. ⋯ This study will provide a new theoretical basis for the immunological prevention and treatment of CHD.
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Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and osteoporosis (OP) often coexist, and both are systemic metabolic diseases and seriously increase the risk of fragility fracture. However, there is no specific Western medicine for the treatment of T2D with OP (T2DOP). As reported in clinical and experimental studies, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) based on principle of tonifying-kidney, strengthening-spleen, and invigorating blood circulation (Bushen-Jianpi-Huoxue) (BSJPHX) has significant efficacy against T2DOP. This protocol will be designed for a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of TCM BSJPHX principle in the treatment of T2DOP. ⋯ CRD42020218877.
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In 2014, the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) released guidelines for ordering pre-operative echocardiograms in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. The purpose of this study is to determine if pre-operative echocardiograms ordered prior to fragility hip fracture repair are ordered according to these guidelines, change anesthetic management or affect patient outcomes. In addition, we attempted to evaluate the efficacy of the ACC/AHA guidelines. ⋯ Pre-operative echocardiography was associated with more anesthetic adjustments and longer time to surgery. Postoperative echocardiograms were done for cardiopulmonary complications. Studies need to examine and refine clinical parameters that would improve the selection of patients who would benefit from pre-operative echocardiograms.
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Antihypertensive drugs have been of significant interest to the pharmaceutical industry due to increasing sales opportunities in a global market. The financial relationships between pharmaceutical companies and the Japanese Society of Hypertension (JSH) have a possible influence on clinical practices in Japan. This study examined the distribution of pharmaceutical payments made to the authors of the revised Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension (JSH2019) and the transparency of the Conflict of Interest disclosure that each author made. ⋯ Of 74 authors required to disclose their conflict of interest (COI) the authors, one-third failed to follow the COI policy covering the clinical guidelines. Major pharmaceutical companies selling antihypertensive drug products in the Japanese market had a significant financial connection with the JSH2019 authors. Financial relationships between pharmaceutical companies and authors or Japanese medical societies are raising significant concerns about the credibility of clinical guidelines and the potentially biases and undue influences that they may cause, especially with respect to adverse prescription patterns.
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COVID-19 has strong transmission power, and people are generally susceptible to it. Patients with weak constitution and low immunity function are more likely to be infected. Aromatic therapy of traditional Chinese medicine has the effect of inhibiting virus and sterilization, especially the external treatment of traditional Chinese medicine has played an important role in the fight against the epidemic situation. ⋯ CRD42021238580.