Medicine
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The aim of this meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis (TSA) was to evaluate the effect of a polyurethane (PU) tracheal tube cuff on the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). ⋯ The use of a PU cuff for mechanical ventilation did not prevent VAP. Further trials with a low risk of bias need to be performed.
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Coronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the highest mortality diseases in the world, which seriously threatens human health and quality of life (QOL). The purpose of this study is to systematically analyze the effects of mind-body exercise on cardiopulmonary function, blood pressure and QOL in CHD patients, and to provide scientific evidence-based exercise prescription for patients with coronary heart disease. ⋯ Ethical approval will not be necessary since this systematic review and meta-analysis will not contain any private information of participants or violate their human rights.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of laser acupuncture on adhesive small bowel obstruction: A prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial.
Adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) is one of the most common complications and is a major cause of re-admission after intra-abdominal surgery. The initial management of patients with ASBO is nonoperative treatment such as nil per os and decompression using a nasogastric tube. However, the ideal management of ASBO remains controversial. ⋯ The aim of this protocol is to investigate the clinical efficacy of LA on ASBO.
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Multicenter Study
Impacts of early insulin treatment vs glimepiride in diabetic patients with background metformin therapy: A nationwide retrospective cohort study.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a progressive disease. After metformin failure, the addition of insulin or sulfonylureas might increase the risk of hypoglycemia and cardiovascular (CV) morbidity. Here, the risk of all-cause mortality was compared between early insulin treatment and glimepiride use in T2DM patients with background metformin therapy. ⋯ The adjusted hazard ratio of mortality was 14.47 (95% CI: 8.64-24.24; P value <.001) as insulin compared with glimepiride users. The insulin users had significantly higher risk of CV death (adjusted hazard ratio 7.95, 95% CI 1.65-38.3, P = .01) and noncardiovascular death (adjusted hazard ratio 14.9, 95% CI 8.4-26.3, P < .001). The nationwide study demonstrated that metformin plus insulin therapy was associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality.
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A few cases of optic neuropathy presumed to be caused by vincristine have been reported. However, none described multimodal imaging findings. Here, we report abnormal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings in a putative case of vincristine-induced optic neuropathy. ⋯ We conclude that vincristine can cause optic neuropathy, and clinicians need to be alert to the possibility of optic neuropathy in any patient prescribed this agent.OCT and MRI may help to diagnose optic neuropathy in pediatric patients. Periodic ophthalmologic examinations, including an OCT scan, may be useful.